The Chicago Bears’ legendary player and coach Mike Ditka died today at 86. No cause of death has been announced yet. Ditka played tight end for the Bears for six seasons and, as their head coach, led them to a 46-10 romp over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX.
Mike was the embodiment of Chicago Bears football. He epitomized the Windy City’s grit and determination, and his name will be intertwined with Chicago forever. Ditka could be combative, supportive, happy, gruff, but always entertaining in his seven decades as a player, coach, and TV personality.
Ditka’s Early Beginnings and Playing Career
Mike Ditka was born on Oct. 18 in Carnegie, Pennsylvania 1939. He was raised in the blue-collar steel town of Aliquippa, PA, which is northwest of Pittsburgh. Ditka had a hardscrabble upbringing with a stern father who took no guff. In high school, he was captain of the football, basketball, and baseball teams and had an offer to sign a professional baseball contract. But he chose to stay home and attend the University of Pittsburgh on a football scholarship.
Mike became an All-American tight end at Pitt, and after a standout collegiate career, the Bears drafted him with the fifth overall pick in the first round of the 1961 NFL Draft. Ditka went on to play six rough-and-tumble years as the Bears’ tight end, where he would lead them to an NFL Championship. He was also named to the Pro Bowl five times in his time in Chicago.
A contract dispute would facilitate a trade to the Philadelphia Eagles. He ended his career playing for the Dallas Cowboys, catching a touchdown pass in Super Bowl VI. In 1988, Ditka became the first tight end ever inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Coaching Career
Immediately after his playing career ended, he joined Tom Landry’s Cowboys coaching staff. In 1982, Ditka realized a dream when he was named head coach of the Bears. He led Chicago to six division titles until being fired in 1992 after a 5-11 record. He went on to coach the New Orleans Saints for three seasons later in the decade before retiring from football. Mike, along with Tom Flores, are the only two individuals elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame to win a Super Bowl as a player, assistant coach, and head coach.
From there, Mike went on to successful careers as a restaurateur, sportscaster, commercial spokesperson, and an advocate for former N.F.L. players suffering from injuries sustained during their careers. And of course, he became the subject of several “Saturday Night Live” skits where Bears fans would drink beers and praise “Da Coach.” They would pray and proclaim, “We thank God and Ditka for all they have provided.”
Remembrance and Family
The Ditka family released a statement, as shared by Walter Payton’s son Jarrett Payton:
“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. With love and gratitude, The Ditka Family.”
Ditka is survived by his wife of 49 years, Diana; his first wife, Margery Dougherty; and their four children: Mark, Matt, Mike, and Megan.
