The Bears have one of the most extensive histories in North American professional sports, and the franchise's roots are traced back to founder George "Papa Bear" Halas, whose initials are a prominent feature of Chicago's uniforms.
And while Halas died in 1983, his initials are a fixture on the sleeves of the Bears' jerseys, a reminder of the importance of his life and legacy to the franchise.
In 2025, the Bears will be playing in honor of Halas' daughter, Virginia Halas McCaskey. She assumed ownership of the franchise after her father's passing in 1983 and held the role as the Bears' principal owner until she died in 2025. She was 102 years old.
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Here is how the Bears will be honoring McCaskey throughout this season.
Bears VMH patch, explained
Fans got their first look at the Bears' jersey patch during their preseason opener at Soldier Field on Aug. 10. On the team's blue jersey, the patch features an orange football and features "VMH" in blue letters, representing McCaskey's initials.
The initials are written as a standard three-letter monogram, with the "M" for McCaskey located in the middle and larger than the "V" and "H."
Fire us up, @jjowens_3 🔥 pic.twitter.com/FWaN79mi8t
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 10, 2025
Since McCaskey's passing, the Bears have taken multiple measures to honor her life and legacy, and the jersey patch is the latest example.
MORE: How the Colts are honoring Jim Irsay in 2025
When did Virginia Halas McCaskey die?
McCaskey died on Feb. 6, 2025, just over a month after her 102nd birthday.
She was born three years after the Bears franchise was founded and was Halas' eldest child. She assumed ownership of the franchise after her father died in 1983 and served as the franchise's executive when it won Super Bowl 20.
Family, friends and the NFL community came together yesterday to pay their respects to the remarkable life of Virginia Halas McCaskey.
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) February 13, 2025
MORE: What 'GSH' on the Bears uniform stands for
Who is the Bears owner?
George Halas McCaskey is the Bears owner.
He is one of 11 children born to of Virginia Halas McCaskey and Ed McCaskey. George, 69, was born on March 29, 1956, and is named after his grandfather. He began serving as the franchise's chairman in 2011 and assumed ownership of the franchise after his mother's death.