Mike Ditka, an American football legend who went from being a star tight end for the Chicago Bears to their most famous coach to this day, has died at the age of 86. His family confirmed his death in a statement, writing: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, Mike Ditka. While the world knew Mike as a Hall of Fame football player, a legendary coach and leader of the Chicago Bears’ Super Bowl XX championship team, we knew him as the heart.” The Bears released a statement, writing in part: “Mike’s impact on the Chicago Bears organization, over decades as a player, coach and proud icon and ambassador for our organization, is immeasurable…We extend our love, prayers and deepest condolences to the Ditka family, and we join all Bears fans in deep sadness and reverence as we remember and honor Mike Ditka.” The NFL released a statement on its social media, writing: “The NFL is deeply saddened by the passing of Hall of Fame coach and tight end Mike Ditka. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell remembered Ditka, writing: “Mike Ditka personified the game of football for so many years. He brought intensity, authenticity and an unmistakable personality to everything he did… We extend our deepest condolences to Diana and Ditka.” “Illinois Governor JB Pritzker also posted about his death, writing: “Da Coach was not only an icon in Chicago, but throughout the world of football. Our thoughts are with Mike Ditka’s family, friends and Bears fans today. May his memory be a blessing.” American Football Hall of Fame President and CEO Jim Porter responded to Ditka’s death in a statement, saying, “Mike brought competitiveness and a tough style of play while developing into a fantastic blocker and someone who could punish would-be tacklers on his catches…Mike’s engaging personality and leadership qualities will be forever preserved and celebrated in Canton.” The Hall of Fame said the flag outside its museum will fly at half-mast in Ditka’s honor. Emery Moorehead, tight end on Ditka’s Super Bowl-winning team, shared his memories of his coach with CBS News Chicago. “He had a great passion for the game,” Moorehead said. “Everyone played with a lot of emotion every week because that’s how the coach felt.” “So it seems surreal to talk about Mike Ditka’s passing, even if it was inevitable.” Even the Green Bay Packers, with whom Ditka had a fierce rivalry, mourned his passing. “While he was a formidable opponent, his contributions to the game and a rivalry that has meant so much to both franchises will always be respected and remembered by the Green Bay Packers,” they wrote on their social networks. extremely popular among Bears fans and in pop culture. Recently, a newly engaged couple went viral for sharing a kiss at a Bears game while both dressed as the coach. Ditka was born on October 18, 1939. Before becoming Da Coach, “Iron” legend Mike Ditka was cut out in the blue-collar town of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, northwest of Pittsburgh. as his ticket out of working in the steel mills. He earned a scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh, where he became an All-American tight end in 1960. “If you wanted to be good at something, you had to work at it,” Ditka told CBS Chicago in 1985, “and no one was going to give you anything for nothing.” The pinnacle of Ditka’s six-year career with the Bears came in the NFL and revolutionized the tight end position as a pass catcher. Chicago Bears tight end Mike Ditka, shown in full length catching football, 1960s. 1963, when No. 89 helped lead the team to an NFL championship, the Bears demolished the New England Patriots 46-10 in the Super Bowl, but Ditka often said he regretted that McMahon and defensive tackle William “The Refrigerator” Perry ran for touchdowns in place of Walter Payton, Chicago’s stalwart running back Ryan departed for a head coaching job in Philadelphia soon afterward. For most of the next five years, a 5-11 season led to Ditka’s departure in 1992. He was arguably the NFL’s most recognizable (and imitated) personality during his time as Chicago’s coach with his bushy but well-groomed mustache and vest with “BEARS” emblazoned across the chest. Fans at Bears games still imitate the iconic look decades later. parody “Da Bears” on “Saturday Night Live” during the 1980s. However, after a contract dispute with owner George “Papa Bear” Halas, the five-time Pro Bowler was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles before the 1967 season. Ditka would cap off his playing days by catching a touchdown in Super Bowl VI for the Dallas Cowboys. Upon retirement, he immediately joined Tom Landry’s coaching staff in Dallas. 1982, Ditka’s career came full circle when Halas brought him back to the Bears as the tenth head coach in franchise history. As a coach, fans and media alike couldn’t get enough of Ditka’s gruff and tough personality as a coach. Ditka’s fiery demeanor on the bench quickly translated into success on the field. I know what that’s like,” Ditka said in 1985. “I want to be the winner.” The 1985 Bears reached and won Super Bowl XX. On January 26, 1986, in New Orleans, Ditka’s Bears dominated the New England Patriots 46-10, making Ditka one of only two men to win an NFL title as a player, assistant coach and head coach. Head Coach Mike Ditka of the Chicago Bears walks off the field after defeating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX on January 26, 1986 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Bears won the Super Bowl 46-10. In 1988, Ditka became the first tight end to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. and, in 1990, he led the Bears to a sixth division crown. But after a 5-11 finish in the 1992 season, Ditka was later fired. But Da Coach’s iconic status continued to grow, especially in Chicago. restaurateur and appeared in commercials for a variety of products, selling everything from wine to hot dogs. In late 2013, Chicago favorite Grabowski received the ultimate honor: His iconic No. 89 jersey was retired during a halftime ceremony at Soldier Field. Ditka also had a long-standing relationship with CBS Chicago. Throughout his career as Bears head coach, Ditka also made weekly appearances during the football season with Channel 2 sports director Johnny Morris on “The Mike Ditka Show” Mike Ditka and CBS Chicago sports director Johnny Morris on the final edition of “The Mike Ditka Show” on WBBM-TV, CBS Channel 2, January 1993. CBS’ “The Mike Ditka Show” ended after Ditka was fired from the Bears in January 1993. But in the mid-2000s, Ditka appeared again on CBS Chicago as an analyst for the show “2 on Football” with sports director Mark Malone. He also appeared as a color analyst for local broadcasts of Bears preseason games. Ditka was also a commercial spokesperson for many products and an avid golfer. He was also closely involved with Misericordia, the Chicago center that serves youth with physical and developmental disabilities.
