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Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears kicked off the 2025 season on Monday Night Football against their division rivals, the Vikings. While fans were eager to see what the 2024 No. 1 overall pick could do in new head coach Ben Johnson’s system, many couldn’t help but notice the eye-catching orange and blue “VMH” patches adorning Bears jerseys.
The bright patch – positioned on the left shoulder with bold navy blue letters against an orange background – immediately drew attention from viewers. But many were left wondering what exactly “VMH” stood for and why it was there.
There’s a meaningful reason behind it.
Honoring a Bears Legend
The Bears are wearing these patches to honor Virginia Halas McCaskey, the team’s longtime owner who passed away on Feb. 6, 2025, at the age of 102. The organization announced back in August that they’d wear the commemorative patch – featuring her initials – throughout the entire 2025 campaign.
McCaskey wasn’t just any NFL owner. She guided the franchise for 42 years after taking over from her father, George Halas – the legendary Bears founder whose name adorns the team’s facilities. The “VMH” monogram features the middle initial prominently, following traditional monogram format where the last name initial appears larger in the center.
The patch has been universally embraced by Bears nation. McCaskey was beloved throughout Chicago and the entire NFL community for her contributions to both the team and city during her remarkable life.
What makes this tribute even more special is how it connects to the team’s history. When Virginia’s father died in October 1983, the Bears honored him with a strikingly similar patch design.
A Family Legacy Continues
It’s a fitting tribute that connects two generations of Bears leadership – both using the same orange football with blue lettering design. The symmetry between the two patches creates a beautiful visual link between father and daughter who collectively guided the franchise for decades.
Following Virginia’s death, ownership of the Bears has remained in family hands. Her son, George Halas McCaskey, who’d been serving as the team’s chairman since 2011, took over as the controlling owner. He’s now tasked with continuing the family’s stewardship of one of the NFL’s founding franchises.
The McCaskeys are practically royalty in Chicago. Their contributions to both the team and community have made them beloved figures throughout Bears history. By wearing these patches all season, the team ensures Virginia’s legacy remains visible every time they take the field – just as they did for her father over 40 years ago.
As the Bears begin their new chapter under Johnson and Williams, they’re carrying forward both their on-field hopes and the memory of the woman who guided them for over four decades. It’s a fitting tribute to a woman who was, for many fans, the only owner they’d ever known.
