NFLOct 9
Mike Ditka, Bears Coaching Legend and Hall of Fame Tight End, Dies at 86
Ditka entered the league as the fifth overall selection in the 1961 draft and earned rookie honors after becoming the first tight end to reach 1,000 receiving yards in a season.
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Rise as a Player
Ditka entered the league as the fifth overall selection in the 1961 draft and earned rookie honors after becoming the first tight end to reach 1,000 receiving yards in a season. He spent six years with the Bears, two with the Eagles and four with the Cowboys, contributing to Chicago's 1963 title and the Cowboys' Super Bowl VI win. In 1988 he became the first player at his position inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Success as Bears Head Coach
Hired in 1982, Ditka led the Bears to seven playoff appearances across 11 seasons, including three trips to the NFC Championship Game. His 1985 squad finished 15-1 in the regular season before defeating the Patriots 46-10 in Super Bowl XX, capping a run defined by a dominant defense. The team also advanced to the postseason in other years under his direction.
Later Career and Enduring Impact
After his dismissal following the 1992 season, Ditka coached the Saints starting in 1997 and finished with a 15-33 record in New Orleans. His time there included a notable trade that sent eight draft selections, among them two first-round picks, to acquire running back Ricky Williams fifth overall in 1999. Throughout his post-playing years he remained a prominent figure through business ventures and media work.
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