George Halas was a player, coach, team owner, and pioneer in American professional football. HE attended and played football at the University of Illinois. An ensign in the U.S. Navy in World War I, he played for the Great Lakes Naval Training Station team that won the 1919 Rose Bowl. Also a baseball player, he played 12 games with the New York Yankees in 1919. His first professional football coaching role was with the Chicago Staleys in 1921, a team that was renamed the Chicago Bears the following year. He played both offensive and defensive end, handled ticket sales and the business of running the club, in addition to coaching. Halas retired as a player in 1930 and coach and remained as owner. Three years later he returned as coach for 10 more seasons..