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Introduction
Since its inception the NFA has used a plaque as its
trophy to be awarded to the League Champion for a
given season. In 2004, the League Office began
its search for a trophy that more appropriately
represents the principles of the National Football
Association and its rich history. At the same
time, the League Office polled the owners for the
eventual name of the trophy to be purchased.
After a multi-month survey, the League decided upon
naming it the George S. Halas Cup, after one of the
pioneers of modern professional football.
The Original Trophy
The Walter Payton Trophy was really a plaque used to
hold the names of the champions of the League.
Retired in 2005, the Walter Payton Trophy now
resides in the NFA League Office.
The Current Trophy
Handcrafted in Sheffield, England, the Halas Cup
will be first presented to the 2004 League Champion
Baltimore Vengeance at the NFA 2005 Draft.
Standing 15 inches tall and 8.5 inches across its
bowl, the Halas Cup is made of pewter and was
purchased at a cost of approximately 100 pounds.
This truly impressive trophy bowl features elegant
flowing lines.
In 2005, the League Office appointed Daniel J. Yip,
the Commissioner of the NFA, as Trustee of the Halas
Cup. As Trustee, Yip maintains absolute
authority in all situations or disputes over the
winner of the Cup. Other conditions have been
ratified by the League Office regarding the
administration of the Halas Cup:
1. The winner of the Halas Cup must return the Cup
in good order when required by the Trustee in order
that it may be handed over to any other team that
may win it.
2. The Cup remains a challenge competition and not
the property of any one team, even if that team wins
it more than once.
The Naming
According to the biography of George S. Halas as
presented on the NFL Hall of Fame website:
George Halas was associated with the Chicago Bears
and the National Football League from their
inception in 1920 until his death in 1983. He
represented the Bears, originally known as the
Decatur Staleys, at the NFL's organizational meeting
held in Canton, Ohio.
During his incredible career he filled the shoes of
owner, manager, player, and promoter, and was an
influential leader among the NFL's ownership.
It was, however, as a coach that he excelled and was
best known. Although Halas coached his Bears
for 40 seasons, he stepped away from the coaching
ranks three times - 1930-1932, 1942-1945 (to serve
in the military), and 1956-1957.
Each time a rejuvenated Halas returned to the
sidelines to coach and won an NFL championship.
Twice, in 1934 and 1942, Halas' teams had undefeated
regular-season records. His 318 regular-season
wins and 324 total victories were long-standing NFL
records until broken by Don Shula in 1993.
His Chicago Bears teams won six NFL titles, the
first coming in 1921 after the Staleys moved to
Chicago. Halas' Bears won three other
divisional titles and finished second 15 times.
Only six of Halas' 40 teams finished below the .500
mark.
As a coach, Halas was first in many ways: the first
to hold daily practice sessions, to utilize films of
opponents' game for study, to schedule a
barnstorming tour, and to have his team's games
broadcast on radio. With his players, Halas
maintained tight control. Disobedience and
insubordination were not tolerated. Along with
Ralph Jones, his coach from 1930 through 1932, and
consultant Clark Shaughnessy, Halas perfected the
T-formation attack with the man in motion. It
was this destructive force that propelled the Bears
to their stunning 73-0 NFL title win over Washington
in the 1940 NFL Championship Game and sent every
other league team scurrying to copy the Halas
system.
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