Halas by Halas: The Autobiography of George Halas

by George Halas

Signed by author

Genres: Sports, Football, Biography, Nonfiction

351 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Jim Scholz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The author is George Halas himself, and he talks about the beginnings of the NFL and the Chicago Bears. The reader gets a portrait of the man, and finds out that he was a person of strong values and character.

[Kent Shelor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the book and the story of building the Chicago Bears along with the NFL. If your not a football fan then you’ll probably want to
skip this one.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

This autobiography basically doubles as a history of the NFL. Halas was there from the beginning and was *the* central figure in the creation, organization, and eventual proliferation of the League and the de facto legitimization of professional football vis-à-vis the college game.

All the things modern football fans take for granted have their origins in his forward-thinking:

- The need for revenue-sharing and parity to ensure the long-term success of the League;

- The codification of rules and standards;

- The advent of the now de rigueur pre-season training camp and annual physicals to prime players for the season;

- The standardization of scheduling to promote equality among the standings and title race;

- The institution of halftime entertainment;

- The implementation of Ralph Jones's T-formation with man-in-motion, which helped move teams away from the box and single/double wing and ushered in a new era of offensive prowess that made the game more exciting for fans;

- The creation of the modern announcing paradigm in which one announcer does the play-by-play while the other commentates;

- The introduction of the "eye in the sky" and subsequent foray into in-depth preparatory film study;

- The use of helmet radios for QBs and defensive captains for communicating with the coaching staff;

- The modernization of the linebacker position alongside the introduction of blitzing;

- The necessity of depth and subsequent advocacy for expanded roster allowances;

- The recognition of the immense potential television offered the game from a financial and marketing standpoint, helping the League develop the biggest independent sports network in America in the mid-'50s and parlaying that into future lucrative contracts with the major networks.

These are just a few of Halas's many innovations and mentions nothing of his superb character, discipline, and toughness, qualities he required of all his players. (Most don't know he left the Bears in 1942 during arguably their most successful stretch ever to fulfill his duty in the Navy during WWII at the ripe age of 47.)

All-in-all, if you're a fan of professional football and the NFL, and most certainly if you're a fan of the Bears, this one is definitely worth a read.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was not only a great book about a great sports hero and leader, this book detailed the evolution of professional football from a loose group of guys to the massive entity it is today. George Halas led a very interesting life. While he acknowledges that there were many people that helped the NFL form and stay afloat, the League would have fallen apart if not for his contributions and compromises. He was an excellent player, coach, and mentor. Football engulfed the man and became his life. The relationships he made on the field lasted him for the rest of his life. I highly recommend this book not only to Bears fans, but also to NFL fans in general.

[Gerry Czerak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chicago Bears fans, this is the definitive autobiography of George Halas ghosted by the late Tribune writers Gwen Morgan and Arthur Veysey, who lived at the McCormick mansion in Wheaton. You can't get any closer than that connection.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in the pool. Finished 6/25/14. A very interesting book. Lots of good Bears history.

[Steve Gibson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not very riveting. Lots of details about Papa Bear's life, as well as his family, but written in a kind of dry tone. Recommended for the true Bears fan, though.