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The Longtime Former President and CEO of Chicago Bears Reveals Cancer Diagnosis — “Every Bears Victory Keeps My Spirit Alive”

Chicago Bears president and CEO Ted Phillips to retire at end of 2022  season - CBS Chicago

Chicago, IL – 2025

Ted Phillips, the longtime former President and CEO of the Chicago Bears from 1999 to 2022, has announced he has been diagnosed with cancer. At 71, the Bears' first non-family executive leader vowed to battle the illness with the same steady resolve that defined his decades-long tenure.

“I have recently been diagnosed with cancer and am under the care of an outstanding medical team,” Phillips said in a statement. “Every Bears victory on Soldier Field keeps my spirit strong, and I’m drawing on that grit to face this fight head-on.”

Phillips assumed the role of President and CEO in 1999, becoming the first outsider to lead the franchise outside the Halas-McCaskey family dynasty. Over his 23-year stewardship, he navigated the team through triumphs like the 2006 Super Bowl run and challenges including stadium negotiations and financial stability during lean years.

He handed over daily operations to successor Kevin Warren in 2023 after guiding the Bears through a pivotal era of modernization, including digital initiatives and community outreach that solidified the team's legacy in the Windy City. His leadership ensured the Bears remained a cornerstone of Chicago sports, preserving the franchise's deep-rooted ties to its fans amid evolving NFL landscapes.

Since retiring, Phillips has stayed engaged in philanthropy and civic endeavors, championing education and youth programs across the Chicago area—causes that echo the Bears' community-first ethos he helped foster.

Fans, alumni, and former players flooded social media with messages of support and prayers upon the news. For many in Bears Nation, Phillips' unyielding determination mirrors the franchise's own history of perseverance through highs and lows, from glory days to gritty rebuilds.

 

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