How Our Favorite NFC North Football Teams Got Their Names

In 1921, before moving to Chicago, the Decatur Staleys got their name from their main team sponsor, the Staley Starch Company. After the big move, and a team sale to star player George Halas, he decided to change the name to the Bears. After all, their home games would be played at Wrigley Field - which is home to the Cubs - and why not be just a little bigger and fiercer?

After the Portsmouth Spartans moved to Detroit in 1934, they renamed themselves the Lions. The pro baseball team was named the Tigers, who won the AL pennant that year. The team said that the lion was the king of the jungle - not the tiger - so the name stuck.

The team was founded by Earl “Curly” Lambeau and his employer, the Indian Packing Company - which later became the Acme Packing Company, sponsored Green Bay’s football team and provided all safety gear and equipment on game day. The name Packers went on to become legend.

Because a Viking had a will to win, intimidating physique, and aggressive nature, the team was named the Vikings, which also embraced the "traditions of the northern midwest." They were also one of the first teams to go with the state in their name instead of the city.