A Surprising Hall of Fame Candidate Has Emerged For The Bears

The Chicago Bears have more Hall of Famers than any organization in the NFL. That record was extended this year with the enshrinements of Steve McMichael and Devin Hester. It was an especially sweet moment for two all-time fan favorites. Most expected that this would likely be the last chance for a Bears name to reach Canton for some time. That may not be the case after all. According to recent reports, the Hall of Fame has begun trimming its list of contributor candidates for the 2025 class.

A surprise name made the first cut: long-time Bears owner Virginia McCaskey.

The team matriarch is the longest-tenured owner in the NFL. She inherited the team from her father, George Halas, upon his death in 1983. She remains one of only three women to own a professional football franchise. During her long tenure, the Bears won the Super Bowl in 1985, reached another in 2006, hired the first black head in franchise history with Lovie Smith, and has routinely championed women taking on a great role in the league.

McCaskey has always run the Chicago Bears with class.

People can talk about the inconsistent success on the field, which is fair. Nobody can ever say the ageless owner did things in a seedy manner. She has always ensured the Bears were run with respect. Don't be fooled, though. Beneath her calm exterior beats the heart of a competitor. McCaskey hasn't been afraid to make tough decisions when the situation calls for it. She fired her own son, Michael, in 1999 after he'd failed to lead the organization to more success over the previous several years. While she may not have the same direct involvement as her earlier years, her contributions to the league can't be understated. The Chicago Bears owner was a semifinalist for the award last year. This time around could be the time.