Fans, friends, Bears Nation and NFL took to social media to pour condolences to the McCaskey family and Chicago Bears after the loss on Thursday by Team Matriarch Virginia McCaskey.

Many also wondered what would happen to the team now.

One of the more gripping messages was from a fan that called her “NFL Royalty.”

Former players like Jerry Azumah and Patrick Mannelly weighed in with messages to the family. Former Bears Cornerback Charles Tillman, at Super Bowl, told a story about Mrs. McCaskey’s support letter in 2008 when his daughter, Tiana, had a heart transplant because she suffered from extended cardiomyopathy.

Newer Bears fans who may not have remembered her or seen much of her can get some insight into her personality, her story with the team and her view of Bears importance in society and NFL by watching the video “A lifetime on Sundays,” Made about the four women who were the owners of teams at that time.

Many fans pointed out how appropriate it was that Bears gathered to beat Green Bay Packers on the last field goal to close the 2024 season, as the rivalry with Packers was a big theme for the family.

Her presentation of the first halas Trophy to Mike Hitka and Michael McCaskey, two years after George Hala’s death, is one of the happier moments in franchise history

One of the other few times she made a performance in Halas Hall with the media was in 1999 after Walter Payton died. She gave Eulogy for Payton to the media shortly after his death, before the public memorial and his services.

Fans heard from her at halftime of a game 2018 with Seattle when the team put Brian Urlacher’s name and Jersey number in Bears Ring of Excellence.

Very speculated about the Bears ownership now after Mrs. McCaskey’s passing, but what happens is due to the family’s plans. They have always insisted that they will keep the ownership of the team.

Sons George, Brian and Patrick are still involved in often in Halas Hall.

Crain’s Chicago business had reported Bears ownership information and McCaskeys owns about 70% of the team, but almost 23% of it is owned by Mrs. McCaskey. There are so many children from the family involved that each one owns less than 4% in the team.

Chicago Area 87-year-old billionaire Pat Ryan owns almost 18%.

The family has not revealed their succession plan. Over the years, there have been wild speculation about various multi-millionaires trying to buy teams, and no one is true.

After the 2016 season and a second straight losing record under John Fox, George talked McCaskey with the media and then made the rounds on radio stations to talk about the team. He was asked at WSCR-Am 670 about the family plan after Mrs. McCaskey’s passing.

“My brother Pat says it very well:” We intend to stick to the bears until the other is coming, “said George McCaskey

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