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Chicago Bears President and CEO Ted Phillips will retire at the end of the 2022 season, the team announced Friday morning.
Phillips’ career with the Bears has spanned 40 seasons, and he has been the team president since 1999. He had a hand in hiring four general managers in that time — Jerry Angelo in 2001, Phil Emery in 2012, Ryan Pace in 2015 and Ryan Poles this year.
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In January, Bears Chairman George McCaskey announced Phillips’ responsibilities were changing, with his focus more on the acquisition of the former Arlington International Racecourse property and development of a potential stadium. Poles would report directly to McCaskey rather than Phillips.
Now, Phillips is ending a tenure that started as a controller for the team in 1983. He also was the director of finance and the vice president of operations.
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The team announced that a search for his replacement is underway.
“I have been truly blessed with the honor of working for the Chicago Bears for 40 seasons and look forward to leading the team through the 2022 season,” Phillips said in a statement. “I appreciate the support of the McCaskey family and to be involved in overseeing this amazing growth of the Chicago Bears through the years is a dream come true. Every day has been a true pleasure and being surrounded by so many talented and wonderful people has made my job richly rewarding on many levels. I will always bleed blue and orange and forever be proud to be a part of the Chicago Bears family.”
The Athletic first reported the news of Phillips’ retirement and quoted him as saying that COVID-19 changed the dynamics of his work life and caused him to reflect.
“I came to the conclusion that, my gosh, almost 40 years is a long time,” Phillips told The Athletic. “It’s time to hand over the baton and give myself the gift of time. You know how this business can be, a lot of hours and time away from family. I just turned 65 years old. I feel good. My health is good. I felt it was time to slow down and do whatever I want to do.”
