Shane Waldron and game-winning play (via Facebook/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bears played the Washington Commanders in one of the most entertaining games of the 2024 NFL season. The game saw the number one overall pick, Caleb Williams, and the number two overall pick, Jayden Daniels, go head-to-head for the first time in their NFL careers.

The game was a success in terms of the Commanders’ gameplay. They went on to win by a score of 18 to 15 after a last-second Hail Mary, which Jayden Daniels completed to wide receiver Noah Brown.

Daniels threw for over 300 yards, doubling his counterpart, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, who threw for just 131 yards in the thrilling match-up. However, that outdueling came after some controversy during the game.

In a screenshot posted to Facebook by an NFL fan, they noticed two people on the sidelines standing behind Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, one holding a phone with a Commander’s case and the other with a phone that looked like it was recording in his front pocket.

Shane Waldren calling plays (via Facebook)

Chicago Bears Fan Claims The Washington Commanders Cheated To Win Sunday Night Football Game

One fan joked about the playcalling, joking that “they called the hail mary with 4 seconds left,” adding in some emojis before asking, “Who would’ve guessed?” He seemed dumbfounded by the allegations of cheating in the post.

Another fan even laughed at the fan who posted the original post and seems to have a thought about all Bears fans. “Typical Chicago Bear fan always gotta find something to blame the loss on,” he claimed.

While the Bears may have struggled in the game against the Commanders, they are looking to get back on track as they face the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Commanders will take on division rival New York Giants.

Who Is Virginia Halas McCaskey, The 101-Year-Old Owner Of Chicago Bears And NFL’s First Female Owner? All About Her Net Worth And Family

Chicago Bears Owner Virginia Halas McCaskey (Image Credit: Getty Images)
When anyone thinks of football dynasties, the Halas family immediately comes to mind. And standing at the top of that legacy is Virginia Halas McCaskey, the remarkable 101-year-old owner of the Chicago Bears. She’s not just the oldest owner in the NFL, she’s also the first female owner of the game. Recently nominated among the Top 25 candidates in the “Contributor” category for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2025, McCaskey continues to solidify her place in NFL history. But there’s more to her than just stats and achievements—there’s a story of family, football, and determination.

Virginia Halas McCaskey’s Net Worth And The Legacy She Built

Owning the Bears has certainly placed Virginia Halas McCaskey among the wealthiest individuals in sports. As of 2023, her estimated net worth sits between $1.3 billion and $1.7 billion, while the Bears franchise itself is worth an astonishing $6.3 billion. This positions the Bears as one of the NFL’s most valuable teams, and Virginia as one of its wealthiest owners.

However, despite this, McCaskey doesn’t rank among the top 20 NFL owners in terms of net worth, sharing a spot at 28th with Zygi Wilf, the owner of the Minnesota Vikings. But financial rankings aren’t what matters to her. For Virginia, it’s always been about the game and the family legacy she’s continued to foster.

The Bears, The Legacy, And Virginia Halas McCaskey’s Role As Owner

Virginia Halas McCaskey is the only female owner in the NFL (Image Credit: Getty Images)

Virginia Halas McCaskey has been the principal owner of the Chicago Bears since 1983, following the passing of her legendary father, George Halas. Any Bears fan or a football lover will know George Halas as “Papa Bear,” the man who helped shape the NFL as we know it today. Halas bought the Bears back when they were the Decatur Staleys in 1920, making this a franchise with a rich, century-long history.

Though Virginia never planned to become the owner, fate had different plans. After her brother, George Halas Jr., passed away unexpectedly in 1979, managing the Bears landed on her shoulders. Reflecting on this during an interview, McCaskey once said, “I just assumed [George Jr.] would be the one to take over for my dad. But God had other plans for all of us.” And with that, she stepped into the role.

Achievements Under Virginia Halas McCaskey’s Ownership

Since taking over, Virginia has seen her beloved Bears reach some impressive milestones. The most notable? The 1985 Super Bowl XX victory was when the Bears took down the New England Patriots. The team, led by legends like Walter Payton and Mike Ditka, immortalized itself as one of the best defensive squads in football history.
Hall of Fame inductee Virginia Halas McCaskey (Image Credit: Getty Images)
Under McCaskey’s leadership, the Bears have won 11 division titles and made 14 playoff appearances. Despite ups and downs over the years, her ownership has been marked by resilience and dedication. In fact, the Bears have seen 30 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees during her tenure—the most of any NFL team.

Virginia Halas McCaskey’s Strong Family Roots In Football

Virginia’s connection to the Bears goes all the way back to her childhood. Born into a football-obsessed family, she was the only daughter of George Halas and spent her youth attending Bears games. In 1925, a young Virginia even accompanied her father on Red Grange’s barnstorming tour, a significant event in NFL history. By the age of nine, she was already a Bears superfan, cheering them on to a 9-0 victory over the Portsmouth Spartans in 1932.

As a true football lover, Virginia shared this passion with her family. She married Ed McCaskey, a fellow Drexel University graduate and Army World War II veteran, on her father’s 48th birthday, February 2, 1943. Together, they raised 11 children, many of whom have followed in their parents’ footsteps by joining the family business—football.

The Virginia Halas McCaskey Family’s Impact On The Chicago Bears

The Halas-McCaskey family runs deep in the Bears organization, with four of Virginia’s eight sons holding key roles. Her son George McCaskey currently serves as chairman of the Bears, while Brian, Rich, and Patrick all hold positions as vice presidents and administrators.
Virginia Halas McCaskey with her daughter (Image Credit: Getty Images)

Unfortunately, the McCaskey family has also faced some heartbreaking losses. In 2003, Virginia lost her husband, Ed, who had been the Bears’ chairman. Then, in 2020, her oldest son Michael McCaskey, who served as the Bears’ president and chairman, passed away after a battle with cancer.

Michael had led the Bears from 1983 to 1999 before Virginia replaced him with his brother, George. The family endured another tragedy in 2011 when her second son Tim McCaskey, also a vice president, died after a long fight with cancer. Yet, despite these personal losses, Virginia’s focus on maintaining the Bears’ legacy has never wavered.