Chicago Bears Icon Mike Ditka Dies at 86

Mike Ditka, who led the Chicago Bears to a Super Bowl championship win as head coach, has died at the age of 86.

Ditka’s death was announced by his family on Oct. 9. No cause of death was given.

“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mike Ditka,” the family said in a statement posted on X by Jarrett Payton, whose father, the late Bears running back Walter Payton, played under Ditka.

“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,” the family continued. “Mike will be missed beyond measure and remembered forever.”

Ditka coached the 1985 Bears to their only Super Bowl title, defeating the New England Patriots with a defense known as the “Monsters of the Midway” that included Mike Singletary, Leslie Frazier, William Perry, Richard Dent, Otis Wilson, and Ron Rivera. The offense was also crucial to the team’s success as it was led by Payton with Jim McMahon at quarterback.

Before coaching the Bears, Ditka played tight end for the Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, and Dallas Cowboys. He earned the nickname “Iron Mike” during his playing career, which was from 1961 to 1972. He was a star tight end and was the first tight end in NFL history to reach 1,000 yards during his rookie season. He was drafted fifth overall in the 1961 NFL Draft by legendary Bears head coach and owner George Halas.

In his career, Ditka scored 43 touchdowns and had 5,812 receiving yards.

Known as “Da Coach,” Ditka led the Bears from 1982 to 1992. Previously, he was assistant head coach and special teams coordinator for the Cowboys.

But he was best known for his coaching tenure with the Bears where, in addition to winning the Super Bowl in 1986, he led the team to five straight NFC Central titles. However, there was turbulence along the way that included Ditka getting a DUI in 1985 and not getting along with defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan. Ryan left the Bears for the Eagles after the Super Bowl championship season. Additionally, Ditka suffered a heart attack in 1988.

Following the 1992 season, where the Bears posted a 5–11 record, Ditka was fired and joined NBC as a game-day analyst. After a five-year absence, Ditka returned to the sidelines to coach the New Orleans Saints from 1997 to 1999.

After the 1999 season, where the Saints posted a 3–13 record—Ditka’s worst as a player or coach—he retired from coaching and joined CBS and ESPN as a football analyst. In 1985 and 1988, Ditka was voted AP Coach of the Year. As a coach, he compiled a record of 121–95.

Ditka’s jersey number, 89, was retired by the Bears in 2013. The franchise said it would be the last number retired by the team.

The fiery coach was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1986 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988.

Following his football career, Ditka was outspoken when it came to politics.

In 2013, he expressed regret over not running against Barack Obama in the 2004 Illinois Senate race, calling it “biggest mistake I’ve ever made.” Republicans tried to recruit Ditka to run against Obama, who would be elected president four years later.

Several years later, Ditka spoke out against NFL players kneeling during the national anthem, protesting what they saw as police misconduct against minorities. Opponents criticized the trend as misdirected at best and an attack on the country, its symbols, and its history at worst.

“If you can’t respect this country, get the hell out of it,” Ditka told Newsmax at the time.

Ditka was born on Oct. 18, 1939, in Carnegie, Pennsylvania, and played football at Aliquippa High and the University of Pittsburgh. He is survived by his wife, Diana, and his four children, who were from his first marriage.

In a statement, the Bears said they were saddened by Ditka’s death.

“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 franchise said.

“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.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.