One For The Road: Happy Birthday Papa Bear

By Chuck Sudo in News on Feb 2, 2012 11:40PM

On this date in 1895, George Halas, founder of the Chicago Bears and the NFL, was born. Here are some things you may not have known about Halas.

• Halas chose the Bears uniform colors from his college alma mater, the University of Illinois.
• Halas played semi-pro and minor league baseball and even played 12 games with the New York Yankees as an outfielder, where he batted .091 in 22 at bats. Football was the wise choice.
• Halas was a graduate of Crane High School on the city's West Side.
• Halas's pro football debut was with the Hammond Pros. He was paid $75 per game.
• Halas served two stints in the Navy. He was an ensign during World War I and achieved the rank of Lt. Commander during World War II.
• In 1956, Halas was awarded the Distinguished Public Service Medal by the Navy, the highest award available to a civilian.
• He orchestrated the most lopsided defeat in NFL history. Watch below.