Chicago Bears
The Pride and Joy of Illinois
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago. The Bears compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) North division.
Quick Facts
- First meeting
- September 12, 1976
- Conference alignment
- NFC
- Division relationship
- Interconference
- Inaugural venue
- Soldier Field
- Bucs franchise status
- Expansion Team (1976)
- Bears franchise status
- Original Eight Franchise
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 moved into Wrigley Field in 1922 and adopted the name Bears. They have won nine NFL Championships, eight before the AFL–NFL merger and one Super Bowl. The Bears hold the NFL records for the most enshrinees in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the most retired jersey numbers.
Reader's Guide
The Bears play their home games at Soldier Field on the Near South Side, adjacent to Lake Michigan. The team headquarters, Halas Hall, is in the Chicago suburb of Lake Forest, Illinois. The Bears practice at adjoining facilities there during the season, and began hosting training camp at Halas Hall in 2020 after major renovations.
Did You Know?
- The Bears are one of two remaining franchises from the NFL's founding in 1920, along with the Arizona Cardinals.
- The Bears' rivalry with the Green Bay Packers is one of the oldest and most storied in American professional sports, dating back to 1921.
- The Bears' 73–0 victory over the Washington Redskins in the 1940 NFL Championship Game is still an NFL record for lopsided results.
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