Bears to honor Virginia McCaskey and Steve McMichael on 2025 uniforms

The Sun-Times reported the “low-key tribute” to honor the franchise’s matriarch, who passed away in February

George McCaskey announced through the Chicago Sun-Times on Wednesday plans for honoring two franchise greats who passed away this year.

The Chicago Bears‘ uniforms will feature a football-shaped patch over players’ hearts this year that has late owner Virginia McCaskey Halas’s initials inside it. The patch is similar to what the Bears wore following Virginia’s father’s death back in 1983.

A helmet sticker will be worn all season for Hall of Famer Steve McMichael, who died following his battle with ALS earlier this year. The sticker will feature his number, 76, inside of a football.

George also told the Sun-Times the final tribute to his mother would be a subtle nod, one that changes nothing.

For the first time in recent seasons, the Bears will not wear any throwback or alternative all-orange jerseys. All home games will feature their usual navy jerseys and white pants and all road games will feature their white jerseys and navy pants.

George explained the reason for the decision.

“She said to me many times, ‘If it were up to me, we’d have the same uniform at home and the same uniform away,’” McCaskey said. “I’m thinking, ‘Well, it is up to you, Mom.’ It’s a tribute to her than she understood and deferred to us in those choices. So we thought this would be a nice way to pay tribute to her.”

Virginia passed away Feb. 6 at the age of 102. “Mongo” McMichael passed away in April.

Here is a link to the full Sun-Times article.