Legendary Chicago Bears coach, Mike Ditka, has passed away at 86.
Before coaching the 1985 team to their Super Bowl championship, he had a tremendous career as a player.
He was drafted by the Bears in the first round in 1961. As a rookie, he caught 56 passes for 1,076 yards and 12 touchdowns, the first tight end to top 1,000 yards in a season, and was the NFL Rookie of the Year.
He made the Pro Bowl in each of his first five seasons, helped the Bears win the 1963 NFL title, and started every game in six years in Chicago.
After playing for two other teams, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys, he moved into coaching.
After serving as an assistant coach in Dallas, he was hired by the Bears as head coach in 1982, and the legend of “Da Coach” was born.
His 1985 team, with Walter Payton and the 46 defense, went 15–1 and beat New England 46–10 in Super Bowl XX.
The Hall of Famer tight end was one of only two people to win a Super Bowl as a player, an assistant coach, and a head coach.
“It’s with a heavy heart that I’m sharing the Ditka family has announced the passing of Mike Ditka this morning. Da Coach. Hall of Famer. The heartbeat of the ’85 Bears and a Super Bowl champion. Chicago won’t be the same. Prayers to Diana and the family. RIP, Coach.”
“Here’s a statement from the family: It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mike 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. Mike will be missed beyond measure and remembered forever. With love and gratitude, The Ditka Family.”
It’s with a heavy heart that I’m sharing the Ditka family has announced the passing of Mike Ditka this morning.
Da Coach. Hall of Famer. The heartbeat of the ’85 Bears and a Super Bowl champion. Chicago won’t be the same.
Prayers to Diana and the family.
RIP, Coach. 🐻⬇️Here’s a statement from the family:
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mike 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. Mike will be missed beyond measure and remembered forever.
With love and gratitude, The Ditka Family— Jarrett Payton (@paytonsun) October 9, 2026
Ditka became a cultural phenomenon, spawning his devoted crew on Saturday Night Live.
After the Bears fired him in 1993, Ditka made a cameo appearance on the SNL cold open with the Superfans. What a loss. https://t.co/zCjVs4waxB
— Rich Luchette (@richluchette) October 9, 2026
Ditka was also outspoken about his beliefs.
During the kneeling epidemic in the NFL, Ditka blasted the America-haters in the NFL.
“If you can’t respect this country get the hell out of it.”
