Chicago Bears

Lore & Background

The franchise was founded in Decatur, Illinois, on September 20, 1919, became professional on September 17, 1920, and moved to Chicago in 1921. Originally named the Decatur Staleys, the club was established by the A. E. Staley food starch company. The team played independently in 1919, winning the Central Illinois Championship. The company hired George Halas and Edward 'Dutch' Sternaman in 1920 to run the team.

Full control of the team was turned over to Halas and Sternaman in 1921. Official team and league records cite Halas as the founder. The team moved to Chicago in 1921, where the club was renamed the Chicago Staleys. In 1922, Halas changed the team name to the Bears.

The team moved into Wrigley Field. The Bears derived their nickname from their city's baseball team (bears' young are called 'cubs'). Halas liked the bright orange-and-blue colors of his alma mater, the University of Illinois, and the Bears adopted those colors as their own, albeit in a darker shade of each (the blue is Pantone 5395, navy blue, and the orange is Pantone 1665, similar to burnt orange). The Bears have won nine NFL Championships, eight before the AFL–NFL merger and one Super Bowl.

They hold the NFL records for the most enshrinees in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the most retired jersey numbers. The Bears' NFL championships and overall victories are second behind the Green Bay Packers, with whom they have a long-standing rivalry. The Bears reached their greatest modern period of success in the 1980s under head coach Mike Ditka, with whom they won Super Bowl XX in the 1985 season. The Bears appeared in their second Super Bowl during the 2006 season, which they lost to the Indianapolis Colts.

Early Life and Family Tragedy

Born in Houston as the youngest of ten children, Michael Singletary's upbringing was defined by both deep faith and profound loss. His father, Charles, a street preacher who constructed their local church, worked as a contractor while raising the family in modest circumstances. The household faced devastating blows when his brother Dale died from coal stove fumes, followed later by the death of Grady, a crucial father figure for young Mike, in a drunk-driving accident.

These tragedies shaped Singletary's character and resolve, with Grady specifically steering him away from vices like smoking and drinking before his own untimely death. As an all-state standout at Evan E. Worthing High School, an institution serving the African American community, Singletary overcame academic hurdles to secure a football scholarship. His passion for the game was ignited by watching Dallas Cowboys legends like Roger Staubach on Sundays, setting the stage for a future where he would honor his family's resilience through athletic excellence.

Dominant College Career at Baylor

At Baylor University, Singletary established himself as one of the most formidable linebackers in college football history. His collegiate tenure was marked by unprecedented consistency and production, culminating in two-time All-American honors during his junior and senior years. Singletary's dominance was recognized nationally when he became the only college junior selected to the All-Southwest Conference Team of the 1970s. Furthermore, he twice received the Davey O'Brien Memorial Trophy, an award then designated for the most outstanding player in the Southwest region rather than just quarterbacks. His leadership helped Baylor achieve a historic ten-win season in 1980, proving his ability to elevate a program while maintaining elite individual performance levels that would soon translate to the professional stage.

The Heart of the Monsters of the Midway

Drafted by the Chicago Bears in 1981, Singletary quickly evolved into the emotional and physical core of their legendary defense. His peak arrived during the historic 1985 season under coordinator Buddy Ryan's innovative '46' defense, which left Singletary unblocked on nearly every play. That year, he led the team to a 15-1 record and earned NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors while anchoring a unit ranked first against the rush. His performance in Super Bowl XX was instrumental as the Bears defeated the New England Patriots for the championship. Throughout his tenure, Singletary was selected to ten Pro Bowls and named All-Pro eight times, cementing his reputation as the 'Heart of the Defense' who never missed a beat until two games in 1986.

Coaching Legacy and Hall of Fame

Following his retirement from playing, Singletary transitioned into coaching, carrying his intense philosophy to various organizations. His coaching resume also includes stints with the Los Angeles Rams and a brief tenure as head coach for the Memphis Express in the Alliance of American Football. Beyond his professional endeavors, Singletary's impact on the sport is immortalized through his inductions into both the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 1995 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998, recognizing a career defined by relentless effort and defensive mastery.