Chicago Bears in the 1920s

Sporting Chance Press Book

The following passage is from Pillars of the NFL  by Patrick McCaskey, Copyright Sporting Chance Press.

In two seasons, the Staleys proved they had what it takes to win it all and perhaps win for several years. But it was almost impossible for any team to keep all of its top players. Halas would say: 

"There was no bidding for players in those days, no one had the money." 

Chicago lost a big star in Guy Chamberlin who left for Canton after the 1921 season. Halas would later say that Guy Chamberlin was one that got away and he regretted it. 

Halas however, had plenty of success. In a league that was sometimes bloated with more than 20 teams, his Staleys-Bears of the Roaring 20s managed to win, place, or show every year from 1920-1927. He was also busy in the middle of the decade working hard to recruit, sign, and promote the first superstar of professional football, Red Grange. Halas’s efforts would provide sustenance for the Bears and other NFL teams that were trying to survive. 

Halas’s work for the league would not go unnoticed by Guy Chamberlin. Chamberlin would say: 18 

"Pro football owes George Halas a great debt. Everything he has fought for over the years has been for the good of the league, not just for his own job."