Bears matriarch Virginia McCaskey, 101, attends Brian Piccolo Awards

Virginia Halas McCaskey, principal owner of the Chicago Bears and daughter of former Bears coach and owner George Halas, speaks during a ceremony for the unveiling of statues of Hall of Famers Walter Payton and George Halas outside of Gate 0 at Soldier Field, Tuesday morning, Sept. 3, 2019. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times file

The Bears paid their annual tribute to Brian Piccolo in front of their matriarch Tuesday.

Virginia McCaskey, who turned 101 in January, was in the front row for the presentation of the award — which honors Bears players who show courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and good humor — to linebacker T.J. Edwards and right tackle Darnell Wright at Halas Hall.

Her car, adorned with its usual “Pray the Rosary” bumper sticker, parked in its regular spot near a statue of her father — and Bears founder — George Halas. She used a walker and greeted well-wishers.

Last month, she attended the Ed Block Courage Award luncheon, where the Bears feted linebacker Jack Sanborn, in Des Plaines.

Technically the Bears’ secretary of board of directors, McCaskey is the longest-tenured NFL owner. She’s been alive for all but 28 of the Bears’ 810 victories since the franchise was founded in 1920.

The Brian Piccolo Award is named in honor of their former running back, who died of cancer in 1970 at age 26.

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