Chicago Bears History: From the Staleys to Soldier Field
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The Chicago Bears began their league history as the Decatur Staleys in 1920, moved to Chicago in 1921 and adopted the Bears name in 1922. Those early changes help explain why the team’s story connects both Illinois football history and generations of Chicago fans.
Chicago Bears history at a glance
- 1920: George Halas represented the Decatur Staleys when they joined the American Professional Football Association, the league later renamed the NFL.
- 1921: The team moved to Chicago and won the league championship as the Staleys.
- 1922: The franchise became the Chicago Bears.
- 1940: Chicago defeated Washington 73–0 in the NFL Championship Game.
- 1963: A 14–10 championship win over the New York Giants ended a 17-year title drought.
- 1971: The Bears moved from Wrigley Field to Soldier Field.
- 1985 season: Chicago’s championship season culminated in a Super Bowl XX victory.
These milestones are documented in the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Bears team history, which also covers Halas and notable players including Walter Payton, Dick Butkus, Gale Sayers and Sid Luckman.
Exploring the history as a fan or collector
A timeline is a starting point for a more personal connection. Pick an era, player or stadium memory that interests you, then use official team archives and historical records to learn more. For a card collector, that can mean researching the season behind a favorite card; for a new fan, it might mean asking family members which games they remember.
Keep season dates and game dates separate when researching championship memorabilia. A football season’s championship game may take place in the following calendar year. That distinction helps when comparing a card, photograph or commemorative design with the event it references.
Bring the tradition into your next game day
A watch party and an outdoor stadium visit call for different outfits. Start with where you will spend the day, then check the forecast and how much walking or sitting outside you expect. Our Chicago football layering guide walks through those choices.
Explore Chicago-inspired football apparel for city-pride designs, or compare hoodies for a casual layer. Check each product’s sizing and materials before ordering.