Virginia McCaskey preferred the role of cheerleader and caretaker of the Chicago Bears to that of power broker. But nobody made a major decision without first consulting her.

Chicago Bears principal owner and matriarch Virginia Halas McCaskey passed away at the age of 102 on Thursday, the team announced. McCaskey was the oldest child of George Halas and inherited the team in 1983 when her father passed away.

Bears owner Virginia Halas McCaskey died Thursday at the age of 102. The NFL community was devastated by the loss of the NFL matriarch.