▶ Watch Video: Bears legend Mike Ditka dies
Mike Ditka, a football legend who went from a star tight end for the Chicago Bears to its 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 profound 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, legendary coach, and leader of the Chicago Bears’ Super Bowl XX championship team, we knew him as the heart of our family Mike will be missed beyond measure and remembered forever.”
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 heartfelt condolences to the Ditka family, and join all Bears fans in deep sadness and reverence as we remember and honor Mike Ditka.”
The NFL posted a statement on their 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 epitomized football over so many years. He brought intensity, authenticity, and an unmistakable personality to everything he did… We extend our deepest condolences to Diana and the Ditka family.”
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker also posted about his death, writing, “Da Coach was not only an icon in Chicago, but the entire football world. Our thoughts are with Mike Ditka’s family, friends, and Bears fans today. May his memory be a blessing.”
Pro Football Hall of Fame President and CEO Jim Porter responded to Ditka’s death in a statement, saying, “Mike brought competitiveness and a hard-nosed play style as he developed into both a fantastic blocker and someone who could punish would-be tacklers on his receptions…Mike’s captivating personality and leadership qualities will be preserved and celebrated forever in Canton.”
The Hall of Fame said the flag outside their museum will be flown at half staff in Ditka’s honor.
Emery Moorehead, a tight end on Ditka’s Super Bowl-winning team, shared his memories of his coach with CBS News Chicago.
“He had huge passion for the game,” Moorehead said. “Everybody played at an emotional high every week because that’s how coach felt.”
“‘Da Coach,’ as we knew him, was like this invincible character that you thought would live forever,” said former CBS News Chicago sports anchor Ryan Baker, who knew Ditka well and interviewed him often. “So it feels surreal to be talking about the passing of Mike Ditka, even though 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 to a rivalry that has meant so much to both franchises will always be respected and remembered by the Green Bay Packers,” the wrote on their social media.
Ditka still looms large in the Bears’ legend, and remains an extremely popular figure among Bears fans and in pop culture. Recently, a recently engaged couple went viral for sharing a smooch at a Bears game while they were both dressed as the coach.
Ditka was born Oct. 18, 1939. Before he became Da Coach, the legend of “Iron” Mike Ditka was forged in the blue-collar town of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, northwest of Pittsburgh.
Ditka never forgot his working-class roots, but he did use football 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 nobody was going to give you nothing for nothing.”
The Bears drafted him fifth overall in 1961. Nicknamed “Iron Mike” as a player, he was named the NFL’s rookie of the year and went on to revolutionize the tight end position as a pass-catcher.
“I didn’t particularly like those people I was playing against, I really didn’t,” Ditka said. “I wasn’t a guy who went up and shook hands before the game or after the game.”
The pinnacle of Ditka’s six-year run with the Bears came in 1963, when #89 helped lead the team to an NFL championship.
However, after a contract dispute with owner George “Papa Bear” Halas, the five-time Pro Bowler was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles prior to 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.
In 1982, Ditka’s career came full circle when Halas brought him back to the Bears as the 10th head coach in franchise history.
As coach, both fans and the media couldn’t get enough of Ditka’s gruff and tough coaching persona. Ditka’s fiery sideline demeanor quickly turned into on-field success.
“I don’t want to be competitive. I know what that is,” Ditka said in 1985. “I want to be the winner.”
The 1985 Bears reached and won Super Bowl XX. On Jan. 26, 1986, in New Orleans. They demolished the New England Patriots 46-10, but Ditka often said he regretted having quarterback Jim McMahon and defensive tackle William “The Refrigerator” Perry run for touchdowns instead of Walter Payton, Chicago’s loyal and long-suffering running back.
Still, the victory made Ditka one of only two men to win an NFL title as a player, assistant coach, and head coach.
Ditka’s right-hand man in that Super Bowl-winning season, defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan, departed for a head coaching job in Philadelphia soon after the Bears became champions. Payton retired after the 1987 season. Still, the Bears continued to be contenders for most of the next several years.
Meanwhile, Ditka was arguably the NFL’s most recognizable — and imitated — personality during his time as Chicago’s coach with his thick but neatly groomed mustache and sweater vest with “BEARS” emblazoned across the chest. The iconic look is still mimicked by fans at Bears games decades later.
That, along with Ditka’s fiery, red-faced sideline tantrums, inspired the popular “Bill Swerski’s Superfans” skit on “Saturday Night Live” during the early 1990s, featuring Chicago natives Joe Mantegna and George Wendt, and longtime Chicago resident Chris Farley.
In 1988, Ditka became the first tight end ever inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
However, later that year, he suffered a heart attack. He would recover, and in 1990, he led the Bears to a sixth division crown.
But following a 5-11 finish in the 1992 season, Ditka was fired.
Ditka later returned to the NFL for a three-season stint as head coach of the New Orleans Saints, from 1997 through 1999. Afterward, Ditka retired from coaching.
But the iconic status of Da Coach continued to grow, especially in Chicago. He became a successful restaurateur and appeared in commercials for a range of products, hawking everything from wine to wieners.
In late 2013, Chicago’s favorite Grabowski received the ultimate tribute — as his iconic jersey #89 was retired during a halftime ceremony at Soldier Field.
Ditka also had a longstanding relationship with CBS Chicago. Throughout his run as Bears head coach, Ditka also made weekly appearances during football season with Channel 2 sports director Johnny Morris on “The Mike Ditka Show.”
“The Mike Ditka Show” ended after Ditka was fired from the Bears in January 1993. But in the mid-2000s, Ditka was appearing on CBS Chicago again as an analyst for the program “2 on Football” with sports director Mark Malone. He also appeared as a color analyst for local broadcasts of preseason Bears games.
Ditka was also an avid golfer. He was also closely tied to Misericordia, the Chicago facility that serves young people with developmental and physical disabilities.
