Mike Ditka passed away today, October 9th, 2026. Da Coach has had some health problems throughout the later years of his life, however, today has hit Chicago hard. Fans who never knew Ditka calling into radio stations in tears, social media posts of 30 year old photos with Iron Mike at one of his prized Steakhouse’s, TV airways playing footage of the Bears glory days.
Mike Ditka grew up in Aliquippa, went to college in Pittsburgh, retired in Dallas, coached in New Orleans… but he was Chicago.
Mike Ditka played for the Bears for 6 seasons earning 5 Pro Bowl nods, 5 All-Pro selections, and winning the 1963 NFL Championship. He later would be named to both the NFL’s 75th and 100th Anniversary Teams. He revolutionized the Tight End position in the NFL by making it a true receiving threat. Ditka was the first Tight End inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988.
Ditka was traded to Philly and eventually traded again to Dallas where Tom Landry gave him new life as a player and eventually as a Special Teams Coordinator. He won Super Bowls as both. On his way out of Chicago, his relationship with Bears Owner, Coach, and Founder George Halas was soured by contract negotiations. Ditka decided to extend an olive branch in the form of a letter extending his interest in the Bears Head Coach position. The letter changed the trajectory of Chicago sports forever.
George Halas hired Mike Ditka in 1982 to be the next Head Coach of the Chicago Bears. Ditka intimidated players right away, exclaiming that he had good news and bad news… “Good News: Give me 3 years, we’re gonna win the Super Bowl. Bad News: Half of you won’t be here to see it.”
Quickly, Ditka identified the talent on the Bears roster. Bears Legends, Gary Fencik and Otis Wilson, and future Hall of Famers such as Mike Singletary, Steve “Mongo” McMichael, Dan Hampton, and of course, Walter Payton. Under Ditka’s leadership, the Bears drafted Jim McMahon, Richard Dent, Jimbo Covert, and many others to contribute to the greatest team in NFL history: The ’85 Bears.
In 1985, a Bears team that would produce 6 Hall of Fame players went 15-1 on the back of the most dominant defense of all time. They shutout two opponents en route to the Super Bowl against New England, a game that they won 46-10 and set the Super Bowl sack record of 7 in one game. Ditka was carried off the field and immortalized in Chicago history once again. Iron Mike spent 11 seasons in Chicago as a coach and the rest of his life in Chicago as an entrepreneur, restaurateur, broadcaster, philanthropist, and oft-mentioned potential Mayoral candidate.
Today, when the news of his passing broke, I received texts from college friends, fraternity brothers, uncles, coworkers, etc. The outcry was almost like a family member or friend had passed. Why was it like that? Why did this hit so hard, not only for me, but for those all over Chicago? It is because Mike Ditka not only epitomizes Chicago, he is Chicago. He was tough, outspoken, thick-skinned, charismatic, and larger-than-life. Ditka resonated with the city of big shoulders because he wasn’t the first choice, he wasn’t perfect, he certainly was cold, but that was what made him so unique.
A Legendary Player, a Legendary Coach, a Legendary Character, a Legendary Person.
Mike Ditka was, and always will be, Chicago.
“Before you can win, you have to believe you are worthy.”
–Mike Ditka
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