George Halas, the famous coach and owner of the Chicago Bears, was scheduled to be on board the Eastland on July 24, 1915. On that date, the Eastland infamously capsized in the Chicago River, killing 848 people (844 passengers and 4 crew members; the majority of the dead were Western Electric employees and their families headed for their annual excursion). George Halas (who worked in the payroll department of Western Electric while going to college, and was scheduled to play in the company baseball game) was listed among the dead in newspapers, but when his fraternity brothers arrived at his home to express their condolences, he was unharmed. It turned out that he had been delayed in leaving for the Eastland that day (likely either because he had overslept or wanted to take another excursion ship to attend a ballgame later in the day), and had arrived after the ship capsized (his friend, future Bears exec Ralph Brizzolara, and his brother were on the Eastland, but escaped through portholes and lived).
So, let's assume several options:
1. WI George Halas isn't delayed, and dies on board the Eastland?
2. WI George Halas survives the Eastland disaster?
3. WI George Halas survives and helps in rescue efforts afterwards?
Effects, anyone? (I'm interested in the first one, myself, if only because of the effects on Chicago sports and the NFL...)
So, let's assume several options:
1. WI George Halas isn't delayed, and dies on board the Eastland?
2. WI George Halas survives the Eastland disaster?
3. WI George Halas survives and helps in rescue efforts afterwards?
Effects, anyone? (I'm interested in the first one, myself, if only because of the effects on Chicago sports and the NFL...)