Bears: Virginia McCaskey is "pissed off"

LAKE FOREST, Ill. - Yes, Virginia, the Bears stink.

To that effect, Monday afternoon found the press conference assembled at Halas Hall to discuss the resulting dismissal of head coach Marc Trestman and general manager Phil Emery after a woeful five-win campaign and 13 victories against 19 defeats in two seasons.

Concerning those firings and the performance of the franchise overall, George McCaskey, chairman of the Chicago Bears, was asked about the feelings of his mother, team owner Virginia Halas McCaskey.

Mrs. McCaskey is the daughter of George "Papa Bear" Halas, the Bears' beloved founder and former coach.

"She's been very supportive. She agrees with the decisions that we've made," chairman McCaskey said, pausing for a few seconds. 

"She's pissed off," he said of Mrs. McCaskey's sentiments. "I can't think of a 91-year-old woman that that description would apply to, but in this case, I can't think of a more accurate description."

Chicago (5-11) missed the postseason for the fourth straight season and the seventh out of eight chances.

"She's been on this earth for eight of the Bears' nine championships, and she wants more. She feels that it's been too long since the last one, and that dissatisfaction is shared by her children, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren.

"She's fed up with mediocrity," McCaskey said. "She feels that she and Bears fans everywhere deserve better."