Dec. 30--Virginia McCaskey, the matriarch of the family that owns the Bears, empathizes with fans who are distraught by the team's losing ways. So said her son, George, the club's chairman, who helped decide to fire general manager Phil Emery and coach Marc Trestman on Monday after a dysfunctional 5-11 season concluded.
During a 40-minute news conference alongside team president Ted Phillips on Monday afternoon at team headquarters, George was asked how he'd describe his mother's role in the decisions that came down earlier in the day and her reaction to them. Virginia is the daughter of George Halas, who founded the Bears in 1920.
"She's been very supportive," George said. "She agrees with the decisions that we've made. She's pissed off. I can't think of a 91-year-old woman that that description would apply, but in this case, I can't think of a more accurate description.
"She's been on this Earth for eight of the Bears' nine championships, and she wants more. She feels that it's been too long since the last one, and that dissatisfaction is shared by her children, her grandchildren and her great grandchildren. She's fed up with mediocrity. She feels that she and Bears fans everywhere deserve better."
rcampbell@tribpub.com
Twitter @Rich_Campbell
