‘DA COACH’

Legendary NFL Super Bowl Icon Dead at 86

Mike Ditka was known for his fiery coaching style.

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Mike Ditka, a legendary tight end who later coached the Chicago Bears to a Super Bowl victory, died Friday at 86. His family announced the death in a statement shared by Jarrett Payton, son of former Bears running back Walter Payton. A Pennsylvania native, Ditka joined the Bears in 1961 after playing college football for the University of Pittsburgh. In Chicago, he was named rookie of the year and invited to his first Pro Bowl. He later spent two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles before playing for the Cowboys from 1969 until his retirement in 1972. Fondly dubbed “Da Coach,” he led the Bears to their only Super Bowl win in 1985. Ditka was known for his unfiltered rants, intense press conferences, and tough demeanor. “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,” his family’s statement read.