Mike Ditka – NFL icon, Super Bowl winner and Chicago Bears legend dies aged 86
NFL icon and former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka has died aged 86.
Ditka coached the Bears to the Super Bowl XX title in 1986 and was the primary tight finish to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
His household confirmed the information in an announcement, however no reason behind loss of life was given.
“It is with profound disappointment that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and pal, Mike Ditka,” stated a Ditka household assertion.
“While the planet knew Mike as a Hall of Fame soccer participant, legendary coach, and chief of the Chicago Bears’ Super Bowl XX championship staff, we knew him as the guts of our household.
“Mike can be missed past measure and remembered without end.”
Ditka was the fifth total choose of the 1961 draft when he joined the Bears as a participant and he spent six years with the franchise earlier than spells on the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys.
He helped the Cowboys win their first Super Bowl in 1972, scoring the ultimate landing in a 24-3 win in opposition to the Miami Dolphins.
Ditka loved a 12-year taking part in profession, with 427 receptions for five,812 yards and 43 touchdowns, earlier than retiring on the finish of the 1972 season.
He was assistant coach on the Cowboys after they gained the 1978 Super Bowl and went on to turn into Chicago Bears head coach in 1982.
Ditka created a dominant aspect which had a 15-1 document through the 1985-86 common season earlier than he led them to victory in opposition to the New England Patriots to win Super Bowl XX.
“Mike’s influence on the Chicago Bears organisation, over many years as a participant, coach, and proud icon and ambassador for our organisation, is immeasurable,” stated a Bears assertion.
“His integral function in bringing planet championships to our metropolis and our franchise, each as a participant and as our coach, established prominence and excellence at a world-class stage, but additionally created a lifetime of cherished reminiscences within the hearts and minds of Bears followers that may final for generations.”
Hall of Famer Walter Payton performed beneath Ditka and his son, Jarrett Payton, paid tribute to his father’s former coach.
“Da Coach. Hall of Famer. The heartbeat of the ’85 Bears and a Super Bowl champion,” wrote Payton in a social media put up.
“Chicago will not be the identical.”
