George Halas Hall of Fame career began in Decatur
The 1920 Decatur Staleys with legendary player/coach George Halas, front row, center. The team would move to Chicago the next year and become the Bears in 1922.
George Halas is forever Papa Bear, the man who founded the Chicago Bears as the Decatur Staleys in 1920.
Company teams, particularly baseball, were common in the early 20th century, as wealthy owners sought a certain prestige for their firms. A.E. Staley Sr. was no exception, but he also had his eye on a new sport â football. Halas moved to Decatur and lived at 280 W. William St., according to the city s street directory.
WASHINGTON, D.C. â Maroa-Forsyth High School graduate Molly Harris was a witness to history when she played a role in the inauguration of President Joe Biden on Jan. 20.
The Central Illinois native was selected to lead the recruitment, training and management of approximately 300 volunteers. On inauguration day, the volunteers did everything from directing traffic inside the Capitol building to escorting former presidents.
Harris, 27, had an inside view behind the events of the ceremony. âI saw everything you didnât see on TV and all that goes into a successful and momentous event,â she said. âThe event is perfectly choreographed down to the literal second.â