Staley Da Bear
Mascot — Chicago Bears
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About Staley Da Bear
Staley Da Bear is the Chicago Bears mascot, named after the Decatur Staleys, which was the franchise's original name before George Halas moved the team to Chicago in 1921. He wears number 00, stands over six feet tall in an orange fur suit, and has spent decades performing the most thankless job in the NFL: being enthusiastic about Chicago Bears football in real time. During good years, Staley gets to celebrate touchdowns and hype up a crowd that's already having fun. During bad years, which historically outnumber the good ones by a significant margin, Staley is stuck on the sideline doing choreographed routines while 60,000 people contemplate their life choices.
The internet discovered Staley's true potential during particularly bad Bears games, when cameras would catch him on the sideline in moments of visible despair. A mascot crumpling to the ground after an interception. Staley face-down on the turf during a blowout loss. The costume head tilted at an angle that somehow communicates existential dread despite being a fixed expression. These sideline reaction shots became a meme format for Bears fans processing another lost season. Staley suffers the way fans suffer, except he has to do it in a fur suit while children are watching. He is the most relatable member of the Chicago Bears organization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Bears fans identify with Staley Da Bear's sideline reactions?
Because Staley is contractually required to be at every game, can't leave early, and has to project an emotion that doesn't match reality. That's also a description of being a Bears season ticket holder. When cameras catch Staley slumped on the sideline during a 31-3 loss, he becomes the physical representation of every fan who paid $200 to watch their team get embarrassed. The mascot suit somehow conveys more honest emotion about the state of the franchise than any press conference.
What's the origin of the name Staley Da Bear?
The Bears were originally the Decatur Staleys, a company team for the A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company in Decatur, Illinois. George Halas took over the team, moved them to Chicago, and renamed them the Bears in 1922. The mascot's name is a callback to those origins. Most fans don't know this, which means the name just sounds like someone misspelled a word on a form and the organization committed to it.
Last updated: April 2026