"Papa Bear" was the nickname of George Halas, a man who was present and a key personage at the 1920 meeting that founded the NFL (then called the American Professional Football Association). Presented is an index card that is inscribed and signed by Halas, the founder and owner of the Chicago Bears. Halas played professional football for three teams, and he even played right field briefly for the New York Yankees baseball team. When he moved the Decatur Staleys football team to Chicago and it was time to select a new nickname for the franchise, he decided to honor the Chicago National League baseball team, and he reasoned that since football players are usually bigger than baseball players, and the baseball players on the NL franchise in Chicago were called Cubs, then he would call the football team "Bears." Halas was the head coach of the Chicago Bears for four different stretches, and his teams won 324 games and were 8-time NFL Champions. Halas is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the NFC Championship Trophy is named for him. 

The offered card, measuring 3x5", was originally blank on both sides. On one side, using blue ballpoint ink, Halas neatly inscribed and signed, "Best Wishes/George Halas." On the other side of the card, an unknown hand has handprinted, in pencil, "GEORGE HALAS/OWNER & COACH/CHICAGO BEARS." The offering exhibits very slight darkening. The index card has been encapsulated and PSA/DNA CERTIFIED AUTHENTIC AUTO.

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