Vainisi Is Fired as General Manager of Bears

The Chicago Bears fired General Manager Jerry Vainisi one year after the club won the Super Bowl and less than a month after it completed a 14-2 regular season.

The announcement was made Thursday by the team’s president, Michael McCaskey, who cited “a difference in approach and philosophy.”

McCaskey did not elaborate on why Vainisi fell into disfavor, but sources said the rift between McCaskey and Vainisi surfaced a year ago. Vainisi, who co-owns a restaurant and nightclub in Chicago with Coach Mike Ditka, reportedly sided with Ditka on numerous issues against McCaskey, including the signing of former Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie.

McCaskey, who took over as president in 1983 after the death of his grandfather, George Halas, said he was confident that Ditka’s position was secure.

Ditka, who refused to answer questions regarding his status, said it was Halas’ last wish that Vainisi serve as general manager and he, Ditka, serve as coach.

The Bears have gone 32-4 over the last two years and beat New England in the Super Bowl a year ago. They lost to the Washington Redskins, 27-13, in the NFC semifinals this season, in a game Flutie started.