Posted on 10/09/2026 2:23:35 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Mike Ditka, the legendary former Chicago Bears coach and first tight end ever inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, has died at the age of 86, his family announced Friday.
Ditka rose to national prominence leading the 1985 Bears, a team that boasted arguably the greatest defense in NFL history, to the franchise's only Super Bowl title.
"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."
No cause of death was announced.
(Excerpt) Read more at espn.com ...
Redundant.
Legendary Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka has died at 86
10/09/2026 8:18:28 AM PDT · by janetjanet998 · 68 replies
X ^
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4398572/posts
I’m no Chicago fan of any kind, but Mike Ditka was a credit to his family, city, team and sport. Condolences to his family and friends.
Da Bearssssssss....
Mini-Ditka lives on.
re: “Redundant.”
That post was 8 hours ago.
This is a different source (ESPN), anyway, no foul.
RIP. I remember when he stopped retirement and started working again, he said, “I’m glad to be making decisions about other things beside what shirt to wear each day.” RIP to a good role model.
I searched by the title, and by “Mike Ditka.” Why don’t people use keywords?
I searched by the title, and by “Mike Ditka.” Why don’t people use keywords?
Legendary tight end, no question and no doubt. As a head coach, Ditka did win a Super Bowl...but the all-time great defense that won them the Super Bowl belonged to Buddy Ryan, and it was no secret they followed him, not Ditka. No disrespect to Ditka - he redefined the TE position in his day, and he was one of the best interviews the game has ever seen. RIP.
If Ditka had run against Obama for IL Senate in 2004, he probably would have won
Then the nation would not have been cursed with everything from BLM to Obamacare
Ditka called it “the biggest mistake I ever made.”
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