More than any other NFL player or coach, Mike Ditka embodied the toughness, grit and blue-collar mentality that earned the Chicago Bears the fearsome nickname the "Monsters of the Midway."
Affectionately known as "Iron Mike" and "Da Coach," Ditka revolutionized the tight end position during a Hall of Fame playing career with the Bears and later led the franchise to a Super Bowl championship as head coach.
Ditka's family announced Friday morning that the Bears and NFL legend has passed away at age 86.
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of legendary and treasured Chicago Bear and Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka," the Bears said in a statement.
"Mike's impact on the Chicago Bears organization, over decades as a player, coach, and proud icon and ambassador for our organization, is immeasurable. His integral role in bringing world championships to our city and our franchise, both as a player and as our coach, established prominence and excellence at a world-class level, but also created a lifetime of cherished memories in the hearts and minds of Bears fans that will last for generations.
"We extend our love, prayers, and heartfelt condolences to the Ditka family, and join all Bears fans in deep sadness and reverence as we remember and honor Mike Ditka."
After being selected by the Bears with the fifth overall pick in the 1961 draft out of the University of Pittsburgh, he spent the first six of 12 NFL seasons in Chicago. He was named NFL Rookie of the Year after catching 56 passes for 1,076 yards and 12 touchdowns in 1961, was voted to the Pro Bowl in each of his first five seasons and was chosen All-Pro in 1963 and '64.
Ditka helped lead the Bears to the NFL championship in 1963, when he caught a team-high 59 passes for 794 yards and eight touchdowns. The signature play of his career came in a 1963 road game against the Steelers when "Iron Mike" bowled over several defenders on a 63-yard reception that set up a late game-tying field goal.
On the Bears' all-time receiving list, Ditka ranks first among tight ends and fifth overall with 4,503 yards, sixth with 316 receptions and fourth with 34 touchdown catches.
Iron Mike was named the sixth best player in Bears history in 2019 by writers Don Pierson and Dan Pompei in the Chicago Bears Centennial Scrapbook.
Ditka played his final six NFL seasons with the Eagles (1967-68) and Cowboys (1969-72), helping Dallas win Super Bowl VI and finishing his career with 427 receptions, which remained the most by a tight end until Kellen Winslow eclipsed the mark in 1980. In 1988, Ditka became the first tight end enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
After his playing career ended, Ditka served as a Cowboys assistant coach from 1973-81 and was part of their staff when they won Super Bowl XII.
Ditka was hired as Bears head coach in 1982 by George Halas a few years after sending Halas a letter expressing his interest in the job. In 11 seasons, Ditka compiled a 112-68 record while leading the Bears to six NFC Central titles, three NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl XX victory. He was named NFL Coach of the Year in 1985 and 1988.
Ditka guided one of the most dominant teams in NFL history, the famed 1985 Bears, to a 15-1 record. The team blanked the New York Giants (21-0) and Los Angeles Rams (24-0) in the playoffs before crushing the New England Patriots 46-10 in the Super Bowl.
Ditka is the only individual in the NFL's modern era to win a league title with the same team as both a player (1963) and head coach (1985).
Ditka later served as head coach of the New Orleans Saints from 1997-99.
In 2013 at halftime of a Monday night game against the Cowboys, Ditka became the 14th player in Bears history to have his jersey number retired.
"It's the consummation of a career," Ditka said at the time. "It's one of the greatest things you could be honored with. When you mention [Gale] Sayers and [Dick] Butkus and some of the guys who have had their jerseys retired, it's an unbelievable group of men and great players in the NFL and for the Chicago Bears. It's a tremendous honor."
Ditka was born as Michael Keller Dyczko Oct. 18, 1939, in Carnegie, Pa., near Pittsburgh, and grew up in nearby Aliquippa. His surname was difficult to pronounce, so the family changed it to Ditka.
Ditka was a three-sport star at Aliquippa High School as well as the University of Pittsburgh, playing football, basketball and baseball. He headed to college planning to become a dentist. In addition to lining up at tight end at Pittsburgh, Ditka also played linebacker, defensive end and punter. In addition, he was an intramural wrestling champion.
Following his playing and coaching careers, Ditka served as a popular television broadcaster for NBC, CBS and ESPN. He also appeared regularly on Chicago sports radio stations. On one infamous segment while still coaching the Bears, he challenged a caller to a fight, giving the man the address to Halas Hall and vowing to "whip your ass."
Ditka appeared in numerous TV shows—usually as himself—including "Cheers," "According to Jim," "L.A. Law," "Saturday Night Live" and "3rd Rock from the Sun." He also co-starred in the movie "Kicking & Screaming," appearing opposite Will Ferrell as a youth soccer coach.
"Da Coach" appeared in numerous commercials, operated his own Mike Ditka restaurants and sold a slew of products with his name on it, including cigars, sausages and wine.
Ditka also was a strong supporter of "Gridiron Greats," an organization that generates funds for retired players in need of money or medical assistance, as well as Misericordia Heart of Mercy in Chicago, Maryville Academy in Des Plaines and Little City in Palatine.
