Chicago Bear Firsts and Facts

Franchise Granted:
September 17, 1920 as the Decatur Staleys, Charter Member of NFL

First Season:
1920; Moved to Chicago, 1921; changed nickname to Bears, 1922

NFL Championships:
1921, 1932, 1933, 1940, 1941, 1943, 1946, 1963, 1985

NFC Championships:
1985, 2006

NFL Western Division Championships:
1933, 1934, 1937, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1946, 1956, 1963

NFC Central Division Championships:
1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 2001

NFC Northern Division Championships:
2005, 2006

All-Time Record:
(At End of 2007 Season)
693-508-42

First Game: A 20-0 victory over Moline, 10/3/20.

First Winning Season: 1920 (10-1-2).

First Championship Season: 1921

First Player Deal: The Bears purchased tackle Ed Healey's contract from the Rock Island Independents for $100, 11/27/22.

First Player Drafted: T Joe Stydahar, 1936.

First Bears Elected to the Hall of Fame: HB Red Grange, Owner/Coach/E George Halas, FB Bronko Nagurski, 1963 Charter Members.

First To Pass 400 Yards In A Game: Sid Luckman, 433 yards vs. the New York Giants, 11/14/43.

Longest Run From Scrimmage: Bill Osmanski rushed 86 yards vs. the Chicago Cardinals, 10/15/39.

First to Rush 100 Yards In A Game: Bronko Nagurski, 124 yards vs. the Portsmouth Spartans, 11/26/33 (the first year official statistics were recorded).

First 1,000-Yard Rusher: Beattie Feathers became the first back in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. He gained 1,004 yards in 1934.

Most Career Rushing Yards: Walter Payton, 16,726 yards (1975-1987).

Most Career Passing Yards: Sid Luckman, 14,686 yards (1939-1950).

Most Career Receptions: Walter Payton, 492 receptions (1975-1987).

All-Time Leading Scorer: Kevin Butler, 1116 points (1985-1995).

First Super Bowl Appearance: A 46-10 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX, 1/26/86.

Most Lopsided Win: A 73-0 victory over the Washington Redskins in the 1940 NFL Championship game.

Last Player To Play Without A Helmet: End Dick Plasman played without a helmet as late as the 1940 NFL Championship game. He was the last NFL player to do so.