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Mike Ditka, the legendary football figure who went from star tight end to the most famous Chicago Bears coach in franchise history, died at the age of 86.
His family confirmed his death in an official statement expressing profound sadness over the passing of their beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend.
The family stated that while the world knew Ditka as a Hall of Fame player, legendary coach, and leader of the Super Bowl XX championship team, they knew him as the heart of their family.
They added that Ditka will be missed beyond measure and remembered forever.
The NFL posted a statement on social media expressing deep sadness over the passing of the Hall of Fame coach and tight end while extending thoughts to his loved ones.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker posted a statement calling “Da Coach” an icon in Chicago and across the entire football world while offering condolences to his family, friends, and Bears fans.
Pro Football Hall of Fame President and CEO Jim Porter praised Ditka in a public statement for bringing a hard-nosed, competitive play style as both a blocker and pass-catcher.
Porter added that Ditka’s captivating personality and leadership qualities will be preserved and celebrated forever in Canton.
Hall of Fame officials confirmed that the flag outside their museum in Canton will fly at half-staff in Ditka’s honor.
Ditka was born on October 18, 1939, in the blue-collar town of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, northwest of Pittsburgh.
He used football as his ticket out of working in local steel mills and earned a scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh.
Ditka developed into an All-American tight end at Pittsburgh in 1960 through hard work and relentless dedication.
He famously stated in a 1985 interview that if someone wanted to be good at something, they had to work at it because nobody gives you anything for free.
The Chicago Bears selected Ditka fifth overall in the 1961 NFL Draft.
He won the NFL Rookie of the Year award and proceeded to revolutionize the tight end position as a pass-catcher.
Ditka openly admitted that he disliked his opponents and never liked shaking hands before or after games.
The pinnacle of his six-year playing run with the Bears came in 1963 when he helped lead the team to an NFL championship victory.
The five-time Pro Bowler was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles prior to the 1967 season following a contract dispute with Bears owner George “Papa Bear” Halas.
Ditka capped off his playing career by catching a touchdown pass for the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl VI.
He immediately joined Tom Landry’s coaching staff in Dallas as an assistant upon retiring as an active player.
Bears owner George Halas brought Ditka back to Chicago in 1982 as the 10th head coach in franchise history.
Fans and media members quickly embraced Ditka’s gruff, tough coaching persona and fiery sideline demeanor.
Ditka stated in 1985 that he was not satisfied with just being competitive because he wanted to be the winner.
The 1985 Bears dominated the New England Patriots 46-10 in Super Bowl XX on January 26, 1986, in New Orleans.
That victory made Ditka one of only two men in history to win an NFL title as a player, assistant coach, and head coach.
Ditka made history in 1988 when he became the first tight end ever inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
He suffered a heart attack later that same year but made a full recovery and led the Bears to a sixth division crown in 1990.
The Bears organization fired Ditka following a disappointing 5-11 finish in the 1992 season.
Ditka returned to coaching in 1997 for a three-season stint as head coach of the New Orleans Saints before retiring permanently from coaching in 1999.
His iconic status as “Da Coach” continued to grow in Chicago as he became a successful restaurateur and popular commercial spokesperson for various products.
The Chicago Bears honored Ditka in late 2013 by officially retiring his iconic jersey #89 during a halftime ceremony at Soldier Field.
Ditka maintained a longstanding relationship with CBS Chicago, hosting “The Mike Ditka Show” with sports director Johnny Morris until January 1993.
He returned to CBS Chicago in the mid-2000s as an analyst for “2 on Football” alongside Mark Malone and served as a color analyst for preseason Bears broadcasts.
Ditka remained an avid golfer throughout his life and dedicated significant energy to supporting Misericordia, a Chicago facility serving young people with developmental and physical disabilities.
