Mike Ditka, the Hall of Fame tight end who became the face of the Chicago Bears as the coach of their legendary 1985 Super Bowl championship team, has died at the age of 86.
Ditka's family announced his death in a statement on Friday. No cause of death was given.
"It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend," the family said. "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."
A revolutionary player
Drafted fifth overall by the Bears in 1961, Ditka revolutionised the tight end position, becoming the first player at the position to record 1,000 receiving yards in a season and winning Rookie of the Year honours. A five-time Pro Bowl selection, he played for the Bears from 1961 to 1966 before stints with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys, winning the 1963 NFL championship with Chicago and Super Bowl VI with Dallas.
At his retirement after the 1972 season, he ranked second among all tight ends in receptions. He became the first tight end inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988.
"Da Coach" and the '85 Bears
Hired as Chicago's head coach by team founder George Halas in 1982, Ditka led the Bears for 11 seasons. His crowning achievement came with the 1985 team, which went 15-1 in the regular season and crushed the New England Patriots 46-10 in Super Bowl XX behind one of the most dominant defences in league history. He was named NFL Coach of the Year in 1985 and 1988, and later coached the New Orleans Saints.
The Bears said in a statement that they were deeply saddened, calling his impact on the organisation immeasurable and extending condolences to his family.
Sources:
- Mike Ditka, Hall of Fame player and Bears coach, dies at 86 — Reuters
- Mike Ditka, the quintessential Chicago Bear, dies at 86 — CNN