JUMP TO:
- What does GSH mean on Bears uniforms?
- Who was George Halas?
- Why Bears honor George Halas
- Is the GSH patch permanent?
- What is VMH on Bears jerseys?
- Who was Virginia Halas McCaskey?
The Chicago Bears have a rich history in the NFL, and they make sure to honor their history every game in which they play.
The organization was one of the original founding teams in the NFL and is considered the second-oldest franchise in the league, behind just the Arizona Cardinals. While there were many people involved in the construction of the team, one man is at the center of it all.
As a result, the Bears have a patch on their uniform that is used as a way to remember the team's history in every game they play. Here's a breakdown of Chicago's GSH patch.
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What does GSH mean on Bears uniforms?
The initials GSH on the Bears uniforms stand for George Stanley Halas and are a way to honor the former Bears owner. The patch has been on the Bears uniforms for over four decades.
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Who was George Halas?
George Halas was the former owner, player and coach of the Chicago Bears, as he was associated with the organization from 1920 until his death in 1983. Halas initially played minor league baseball for the NewYork Yankees, but a hip injury cut his career short at just 24-years-old.
Halas mad a move to football in 1919, playing a year for the Hammond All-Stars. Then, in 1920, the expansion NFL team the Decateur Stanleys hired Halas to help run their team in the America Professional Football Association. In 1921, the Stanley relocated to Chicago, and in 1922, the APFA became the NFL while the Stanleys were renamed as the Chicago Bears.
Besides helping form the organization, which included choosing the colors, Halas both coached and played for the team. He was a defensive end from 1920 to 1928, playing in 104 games, and he coached the team for 40 years between 1920 and 1967. He stepped away from coaching three different times, but returned to the coaching after each absence but before his retirement.
Under Halas' coaching, the Bears won six NFL championships and had 34 seasons with winning records. He was the all-time NFL coaching wins leader until Don Shula passed him in 1993.
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Why Bears honor George Halas
George Halas coaching record
In 40 years as a head coach, Halas coached 497 regular season games and went 318-148-31. That doesn't include nine playoff games, in which he went 6-3 during a time when the playoffs were frequently one game to decide a champion.
Halas' 318 regular season wins were an NFL record until Don Shula broke it in 1993. Now, Halas is second on the all-time coaching wins list to Shula, and is one of three coaches ever to record 300 victories.
When did Bears add GSH patch to jerseys?
The Bears added a GSH patch to their uniforms after George Halas died in 1983. Initially, the patch was located on the front of the shoulder on the uniform, but has since changed positions.
The Bears once had a huge shoulder patch to honor George Halas, who passed away. I definitely prefer the "GSH" on the sleeve. Pic.twitter.com/S7vXa6fO9P
— FB_Helmet_Guy (@FB_Helmet_Guy) May 22, 2019
Where is the GSH patch on Bears jerseys?
Chicago's current uniforms feature the GSH patch on the left sleeve.
Chicago Bears Sunday Fact of the Day: George Halas, known lovingly as “Papa Bear,” was the founder of the Chicago Bears and a co-founder of the NFL in 1920. He coached the Bears to 6 of their 9 NFL Championships. His initials, GSH, are on the left sleeve of Bears jerseys. Pic.twitter.com/kEvHjhyYVw
— The Uman (@TheUman23) September 10, 2023
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Is the GSH patch permanent?
The current version of the GSH patch is considered a permanent fixture, as there has been some version of the patch on the uniforms since 1983.
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Is GSH the only patch worn by Bears players?
In 2025, the Bears added a second patch on their uniforms, this time with the initials VMH in honor of former owner Virginia McCaskey.
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What is VMH on Bears jerseys?
VMH stands for Virginia McCaskey Halas, honoring the former Bears owner who died in 2025. The patch is meant to pay homage to the initial GSH patch back in 1983.
TB17 🚀 pic.twitter.com/0TOZLyK3gz
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 10, 2025
"We thought it would be appropriate if her patch mirrored her dad's from 1983," George McCaskey said. "So it's the same size, the same color combination. The only thing that's different, of course, is the initials. We thought that was the right thing to do."
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Who was Virginia Halas McCaskey?
Virginia McCaskey Halas is George Halas' eldest child and inherited the team from her dad when he died in 1983. McCaskey Halas was the primary owner of the team for over four decades, which included two trips to the Super Bowl and one Super Bowl victory.
McCaskey Halas was born in 1923, just a few years into George Halas' tenure as owner of the Bears. Therefore, McCaskey Halas spent her entire life around the team.