Yesterday, the world lost a true NFL icon with the passing of Chicago Bears owner Virginia McCaskey at 102. And, while there will be those that may dismiss her reign over the team's lackluster play over the past decade, there is no denying her unwavering impact on the culture of the organization and her dedication to those who worked for her.
My family has had some interesting linkages to the Bears over the years. As some know, one of my daughters works in the front office and, within days of her hire, she was having lunch with Virginia at Halas Hall. She reached out and patted my daughter's hand, winked and said, "I want another ring." And, with the changes made in this off season, she'll get one...as she watches on from heaven.
For me...I used to play on the Bears' Charity Softball Team (back when NFL players were allowed to do such things). I knew the organizer and he could rarely get 10 Bears to show up so I was the standby, introduced as the walk-on from Clemson. And I got to meet and hang with such Super Bowl XX stars as Otis Wilson, Dennis McKinnon (the fastest human I think I've ever seen), Jimbo Covert, Richard Dent, Gary Fencik, Mike Tomczak and Leslie Frazier among several others.
So, on this Super Bowl Music Friday, it's only fitting to celebrate Virginia's amazing life with the music video the Super Bowl-bound Bears shot 40 years ago this year...the Super Bowl Shuffle.
RIP, Virginia.
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