Mike Ditka, one of the most memorable names and faces in NFL history, has died.
The legendary former Chicago Bears coach and a Hall of Fame tight end died at the age of 86, his family announced on Friday.
“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.”
While Ditka is regarded as one of the greatest tight ends to ever play in the NFL, he truly became a mainstream figure while coaching the Chicago Bears to the franchise’s only Super Bowl title in 1985 — a team that boasted one of the greatest defences of all time.
Ditka, who was known for his fiery temper and trademark moustache, also became prominent in pop culture, being lampooned in Saturday Night Live sketches by Chris Farley and George Wendt.
He later appeared in the 2005 Will Farrell-led soccer comedy Kicking and Screaming, in which he has a hilarious showdown with late actor Robert Duvall.
Ditka’s career
After being selected in the first round of the 1961 NFL draft by the Bears, Ditka made an immediate impact with the team.
He was named the AP rookie of the year and made the Pro Bowl in each of his first five seasons, while earning NFL All-Pro honours twice in his six years with the Bears.
Ditka also would suit up for the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys in his 12-year career, amassing 5,812 receiving yards on 427 receptions over 158 total games.
He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988, while still serving as the Bears’ coach.
In 1982, ten years after his retirement, Ditka would be hired by Chicago Bears founder George Halas to coach the team.
He would lead the Bears to the playoffs in seven of his 11 seasons at the helm and played in the NFC Championship Game on three occasions, including the 1985 Super Bowl season.
He posted an overall record of 106-62 before being fired following the 1992 season, in which the Bears started out 4-0 only to finish 5-11.
He came back to coach the New Orleans Saints in 1997, but struggled to help the team make an impact, going 15-33 over three seasons and never winning more than six games in a year.
After his retirement from coaching. Ditka stayed in the spotlight, taking a job in NFL broadcasting with NBC, before later joining CBS and then ESPN.
NFL community mourns Ditka
The Bears shared a passionate obituary for the legend, praising Ditka for his “immeasurable” impact on the franchise.
“More than any other NFL player or coach, Mike Ditka embodied the toughness, grit and blue-collar mentality that earned the Chicago Bears the fearsome nickname the ‘Monsters of the Midway,'” the team wrote.
“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.”
During his press conference on Friday, current coach Ben Johnson also extended his condolences while calling Ditka “the gold standard.”
The NFL shared a picture of Ditka being hoisted on the shoulders of his Bears team, while writing that the league is “deeply saddened by the passing of Hall of Fame coach and tight end, Mike Ditka.
“Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
The Pro Football Hall of Fame issued a statement remembering the revolutionary player and coach.
“‘Iron Mike’ brought an unrivaled level of toughness to an era already defined by physicality,” Jim Porter, the Hall of Fame’s president & CEO, said in a statement. “But he also was much more gifted as a pass catcher than many realized and became the ideal player for Coach George Halas to reimagine the tight end position.
“Mike brought competitiveness and a hard-nosed play style as he developed into both a fantastic blocker and someone who could punish would-be tacklers on his receptions.
“He brought that same philosophy to his coaching, leading the famous 1985 team that paired one of the most vaunted and dominant defenses in NFL history with a top-ranked offence.
“Mike’s captivating personality and leadership qualities will be preserved and celebrated forever in Canton.”