Legendary Chicago Bears coach and player Mike Ditka has died at the age of 86, his family announced on Friday.
Ditka revolutionized the tight end position during his playing career before becoming coach of the Bears and leading the franchise to its sole Super Bowl title in 1985.
He also had enormous success as a player and was on the Bears’ 1963 NFL championship team and won a Super Bowl with the Dallas Cowboys in 1971.
‘It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mike Ditka,’ his family said in a statement.
‘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.’
Legendary Chicago Bears coach and player Mike Ditka has died at the age of 86
Ditka was an NFL champion and Super Bowl champion after revolutionizing the tight end role
Ditka’s 1985 Bears were dominant, going 15-1 before destroying the Patriots in the Super Bowl
According to The Chicago Sun Times, Ditka died at around 9am on Friday surrounded by family and friends. No cause of death has been announced.
Born in Carnegie, Pennsylvania, Ditka was selected by the Bears with the No. 5 overall pick in the 1961 NFL Draft. He won Rookie of the Year after becoming the first tight end to have more than 1,000 receiving yards.
As well as being a battering ram of a blocker, Ditka was also a major threat in the passing game and paved the way for the sort of tight end the NFL is now accustomed to seeing.
The first tight end to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Ditka played for Chicago for six seasons before spending two with the Philadelphia Eagles and four with the Cowboys.
Ditka was enshrined in the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame and the Bears said during a ceremony in 2013 that his ‘No. 89’ jersey will be the last one retired by the team.
The Bears said on Friday: ‘Mike’s impact on the Chicago Bears organization, over decades as a player, coach, and proud icon and ambassador for our organization, is immeasurable.
‘His integral role in bringing world championships to our city and our franchise, both as a player and as our coach, established prominence and excellence at a world-class level, but also created a lifetime of cherished memories in the hearts and minds of Bears fans that will last for generations.
‘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.’
After retiring in 1973, he became an assistant coach to the revered Tom Landry and stayed with the Cowboys for eight seasons.
Ditka and wife Diana are pictured attending an event at the White House in 1989
Ditka was a staunch conservative and was mentioned several times as a possible Republican candidate, including a congressional race against then state Rep. Barack Obama
Ditka was hired to lead the Bears by his former coach and the team’s founder George Halas in 1982. Ditka led them to the playoffs seven times in 11 seasons and reached the NFC title game three times.
But it is Ditka’s 1985 Bears who are remembered for their sheer dominance, going 15-1 while ranking among the top teams in football on offense and defense before obliterating the New England Patriots, 46-10 in Super Bowl XX.
However, that Chicago team was also remembered as a divided locker room, with defensive stars giving their allegiance to defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan while the offense rallied around Ditka.
The schism was crystallized in the moments after the Super Bowl XX win in New Orleans, where both Ditka and Ryan were lifted onto players’ shoulders following the blowout victory.
Although the two were known to have an intense locker-room rivalry before Ryan became the Philadelphia Eagles head coach in 1986, Ditka later made amends with his former assistant, whom he credited for the Super Bowl win.
‘There’s no way that we win anything without that defense, without his coaching, and I think everybody understands that,’ Ditka told ESPN in 2016.
Ditka was eventually fired by the Bears after the 1992 season. Following a five-year absence, he returned to coaching with the New Orleans Saints, but failed to revive the franchise.
After a miserable 1999 season ended with a 3-13 record – Ditka’s worst as either a player or coach – he left the sidelines for good.
In a statement, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said: ‘Mike Ditka epitomized football over so many years. He brought intensity, authenticity, and an unmistakable personality to everything he did.
‘As a Hall of Fame player, Super Bowl-winning coach with his beloved and iconic Bears, and as a broadcaster, Mike served as an ambassador for the game and inspired generations of fans. Through his work with the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund, Mike was a champion for taking care of those who helped build our game. We extend our deepest condolences to Diana and the Ditka family.’
Ditka (pictured in 2020) became a restaurateur, pitchman and TV personality after retiring
After retiring as a coach, Ditka began building a stable of restaurants and appeared as himself in TV sitcoms from ‘Cheers’ to ‘Third Rock from the Sun,’ as well as shows such as ‘L.A. Law’ and ‘Saturday Night Live.’
He also stayed close to the game as an NFL analyst and game-day show personality at ESPN.
Ditka’s high-profile status also made him an effective advocate to secure improved health and retirement benefits for former players.
His name also circulated for years in Illinois political circles. Though he never ran for office, Ditka described himself as a staunch conservative and was mentioned several times as a possible Republican candidate, including a congressional race against then state Rep. Barack Obama for the US Senate.
