That Time Virginia McCaskey Used the Bears to Talk Trash at Recess

It seems fitting to celebrate Mother’s Day in the 100th season of the Chicago Bears by telling a story about “Mama Bear” herself, Virginia McCaskey. The woman has been a part of the franchise her entire life which almost spans the full existence. Nobody knows more about the Bears than her and nobody can say they love the Bears more than her.

Like any loyal fan, she has stories. Oh so many stories about the Bears. She was there at the first official NFL championship playoff in 1932 at the old Chicago Stadium. All she could remember about it was the unforgettable odor. Apparently, the circus had been in the stadium not long before the game was played, with elephant excrement still present. Players literally threw up on the field from it.

Nevertheless, this didn’t dampen her enthusiasm for the team. She proved this when telling a story of how she got into an argument with fellow students at school during recess.

“I got into a little discussion with some of the boys on the playground because they were talking about having met Gaby Hartnett of the Cubs. And I had to stick my two cents in and said, ‘Well I know Red Grange.’ They said ‘No you don’t!’ and I said, ‘Yes I do!’.”

Virginia McCaskey never wanted to be proven a liar

Gabby Hartnett was a six-time All-Star for the Cubs and National League MVP in 1935. Baseball was king in those days but Red Grange was considered one of the first true stars who put football on the map. His celebrity was right up there with Babe Ruth thanks to his exploits in college. When he signed with the Bears in the NFL, it was a sensation.

He eventually became a Hall of Famer who helped the Bears win multiple championships in the 1930s. When Virginia went home that night, she was upset. She told her father George Halas himself what had happened.

“He said, ‘Well we can fix that.’ So we got Red to sign a picture of him with the Wrigley Field grand stands in the background and it said, ‘Dear Virginia. Sure I know you and I think you’re swell.’ (Laughs). Signed it ‘Red Grange’ and I took it to school to show those boy.”

Keep in mind this is before the term “savage” was being used in the art of trash talking. Suffice to say Virginia absolutely won that argument, and in the most trolling way possible. Just another part of her legend as the oldest owner in the NFL.