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Michael McCaskey and Virginia McCaskey after the Bears received the 2007 NFC Championship sport towards the New Orleans Saints at Soldier Discipline in Chicago, Illinois on January 21, 2007. McCaskey died on the age of 76 on Could 16, 2020. (Photograph by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Pictures)
Former Chicago Bears president Michael McCaskey has died on the age of 76, the crew has introduced. McCaskey had been battling leukemia. The son of Virginia Halas McCaskey and grandson of legendary Bears founder George “Papa Bear” Halas, McCaskey served as president of the Bears after Halas’ loss of life in 1983 up till 1999. He was the crew’s president when it received its solely Tremendous Bowl in franchise historical past after the legendary 1985 season.
Present Bears’ president Ted Phillips commented on McCaskey’s passing, releasing the next assertion, per 670 The Rating’s Chris Emma: “My coronary heart is heavy as I take into consideration Michael McCaskey and may’t consider he’s not with us. His fierce love of the Bears was unmatched as was his mental capability and thirst for data on a myriad of topics. Michael displayed a professorial presence that might be difficult, however was additionally inspiring. I’ll ceaselessly be glad about the numerous alternatives for development that he supplied me, in addition to for his belief and assist. Michael at all times strived to do issues the precise method with excessive character and with the Bears greatest pursuits at all times paramount. Michael was an excellent man, gone a lot too quickly. He presided over the one Tremendous Bowl Championship Chicago Bears crew in 1985, and I do know he’s nonetheless smiling about that magical season. God bless Michael and his household.”
Bears president Ted Phillips on the passing of Michael McCaskey: “Michael was an excellent man, gone a lot too quickly. He presided over the one Tremendous Bowl Championship Chicago Bears crew in 1985, and I do know he’s nonetheless smiling about that magical season. God bless Michael and his household.” pic.twitter.com/09GUvmjllC
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) Could 16, 2020
Michael McCaskey Had Legendary Tenure in Chicago
GettyMichael McCaskey, Chariman of the Board of the Chicago Bears, tries his hand at sideline images throughout a sport between the Bears and the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 7, 2008 at Soldier Discipline in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Jaguars 23-10. (Photograph by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Pictures)
McCaskey turned the crew’s chairman of the board in 1999 after he was changed as president. He stepped down from that place in 2011.
Throughout his tenure as president of the Bears, Chicago made the playoffs eight occasions, received six NFC Central titles and had one of the vital menacing and dominant groups in NFL historical past within the 1985 Tremendous Bowl XX Champions.
He was voted NFL Govt of the 12 months the 12 months after, and his legacy will ceaselessly be entrenched in Chicago Bears historical past. The McCaskey household additionally launched an announcement following the announcement of his passing.
“Mike was already profitable in each sense of the phrase when he took over for George S. Halas after the passing of ‘Papa Bear’ in 1983”, the McCaskey household stated of their assertion. “We’re grateful to Mike for overseeing arguably the best crew in NFL historical past, and for his a few years of service to the Bears and to us. The oldest of 11 siblings has many duties thrust upon them, not all of them nice, but Mike dealt with all of them with grace and endurance. Though Mike’s passing was not introduced on by the novel coronavirus, our household, like so many individuals, isn’t capable of collect and grieve collectively at the moment.”
Present NFL commissioner Roger Goodell additionally issued an announcement lauding, amongst different issues, McCaskey’s charitable endeavors. McCaskey based Bears Care, which helps quite a few charities all through the Chicago space.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on late #Bears exec Mike McCaskey: pic.twitter.com/lKgvzlpSIQ
— Patrick Finley (@patrickfinley) Could 17, 2020
McCaskey is survived by his spouse Nancy, alongside together with his two kids, John and Kathryn, and his grandson, Jackson.
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