Mike Ditka, Bears legend and Hall of Fame coach, dies at 86
Mike Ditka, the Chicago Bears coach who led the team to a Super Bowl championship, has died at 86. His family announced his death Friday.
Ditka’s Bears won Super Bowl XX after the 1985 season, defeating the New England Patriots.
Before becoming a coach, Ditka played tight end for the Bears, Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys.
He also coached the New Orleans Saints, adding another NFL head-coaching stop to a career closely associated with Chicago.
As a player, Ditka was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and a six-time All-Pro. He became the first tight end in NFL history to record 1,000 receiving yards in his rookie season.
Ditka was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988. He had first made his mark as a standout at the University of Pittsburgh.
He was born in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, before rising from western Pennsylvania football to become one of the most recognizable figures in Bears history.
Reporting
- Inbox: This is the game. It’s always been the gameGreen Bay Packers – packers.com
- Mike Ditka’s final chapter raises new questions after years of health battlesCleveland.com
- JJ Watt loves how the NFL community has united after ‘absolute legend’ Mike Ditka dies at 86Yahoo Sports
- NFL coaches, former Chicago players remember the legacy of Mike Ditka: ‘He was the Bears’The New York Times
- 'He'll always be a legend in Aliquippa': Coaches, former teammates honor Mike Ditka’s legacyWTAE
- Remembering Ditka: Aliquippa, football world look back on Quip native’s legendary careerPittsburgh Post-Gazette
- Remembering Ditka: Aliquippa, football world look back on Quip native's legendary careerPittsburgh Post-Gazette
- Mike Ditka, an Aliquippa native who became a Pitt standout and NFL legend, dies at 86Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
- Lions head coach pays tribute to Mike Ditka after learning of his death from a press conference questionFox News
- Mike Ditka inspired comedic gold. But the funniest riff was Ditka as Ditka.Chicago Sun-Times
- Trump gives raw reaction after finding out about Mike Ditka's death: 'A tough cookie'Fox News
- Noah Hiles: There will never be another Mike DitkaPittsburgh Post-Gazette
- Charity outings, an impromptu restaurant visit and more: Dave Wannstedt shares memories of Mike DitkaNBC 5 Chicago
- Mike Ditka, Bears legend with Cowboys ties, dies at 86CBS News
- Jim Covert remembers Mike Ditka, coach who led him and the Bears to win Super Bowl XXYahoo Sports
- Former Bears tight end Emery Moorehead shares more memories of Mike DitkaCBS News
- The risky NFL move fans remembered after Mike Ditka’s deathCleveland.com
- Statement from the Green Bay PackersGreen Bay Packers – packers.com
- Legendary NFL head coach Mike Ditka dies at 86WLUK
- ‘We’ll never forget him, ever’: Chicago Bears fans reminisce on Mike Ditka’s legacyChicago Tribune
- Mike Ditka dies at age 86: Chicago Bears icon shaped NFL as Hall of Fame player, larger-than-life coachNFL.com
- Legendary coach, Hall of Fame TE Mike Ditka dies at age 86ESPN