Mike Ditka, Hall of Famer Who Coached the Bears to Super Bowl XX, Dies at 86
The Pro Football Hall of Famer revolutionized the tight end position as a player and coached the 1985 Chicago Bears to the franchise’s only Super Bowl title. He was 86.
Mike Ditka has died. His family announced his death on Friday in a statement. He was 86. No cause of death was given.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend,” the family said. “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 news was shared publicly by Jarrett Payton, the son of Bears Hall of Famer Walter Payton. Ditka coached Payton for five seasons in Chicago. The Bears confirmed the death in a team statement. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of legendary and treasured Chicago Bear and Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka,” the team said. “Mike’s impact on the Chicago Bears organization, over decades as a player, coach, and proud icon and ambassador for our organization, is immeasurable.”
The Bears picked Ditka fifth overall in the 1961 NFL Draft out of the University of Pittsburgh. He won Rookie of the Year and became the first tight end in NFL history to record 1,000 receiving yards in a season. He made the Pro Bowl in each of his first five seasons and won the 1963 NFL championship with Chicago. In 1967 he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, and he finished his playing career with the Dallas Cowboys from 1969 to 1972, scoring a touchdown in the Cowboys’ Super Bowl VI win. He was the first tight end inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, in 1988.
Ditka retired as a player in 1972 and joined Tom Landry’s staff in Dallas as an assistant, winning Super Bowl XII with the Cowboys. Chicago hired him as head coach in 1982. The 1985 Bears went 15-1 and beat the New England Patriots 46-10 in Super Bowl XX, the franchise’s only Super Bowl victory. He coached the Bears for 11 seasons and was named the NFL Coach of the Year in 1985 and 1988. He later coached the New Orleans Saints from 1997 to 1999.
After leaving the sideline, Ditka became an ESPN analyst, a restaurateur, and a pitchman. Chicago fans called him “Da Coach.” The Bears retired his No. 89 jersey and said it would be the last number the team retires.
