Mike Ditka, Fiery Coach of the Chicago Bears, Has Died
New York Times · LC · trust 56/100
He and the Bears won the Super Bowl in 1986, and after coaching he became one of the sport’s most visible and enduring talking heads. He was 86.
He and the Bears won the Super Bowl in 1986, and after coaching he became one of the sport’s most visible and enduring talking heads. He was 86.
Mike Ditka being carried off the field by members of his Chicago Bears after they defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX in January 1986. Credit... Phil Sandlin/Associated Press
Mike Ditka, a tenacious tight end for the Chicago Bears who relished each collision and fought for every yard, then a Super Bowl-winning Bears coach so well-known for his sideline rants that he became a symbol of competitive fire, died on Friday. “Da Coach,” as he was commonly known, was 86.
The death was announced by his family through Jarrett Payton, the son of the former Bears running back Walter Payton. No further details were provided.
Ditka, who at times could be a bully, more often exuded a kind of crusty charm that fans found endearing. He was glib and amusing and opinionated. After leaving football, he became one of the sport’s most visible and enduring talking heads, working as an analyst for NBC, CBS and finally ESPN.
Nowhere was he more esteemed than in Chicago, his adopted home, where he was exalted as someone who epitomized the city’s grit. He was viewed as tough and authentic, a man who spoke his mind no matter the consequences.
Ditka in 1963, when he played for the Bears. Credit... Vernon J. Biever/Associated Press To a large degree, the Windy City felt in his debt. He starred on the 1963 Chicago Bears, a team that won the N.F.L. title, and coached the 1985 Bears to the franchise’s only Super Bowl victory, a 46-10 win over the New England Patriots.
We are having trouble retrieving the article content.
Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access.
Read the original at New York Times →
Open in TruthVane →