Mike Ditka, Hall of Fame Coach, Dies at 86

Mike Ditka, the Hall of Fame tight end who coached the Chicago Bears to a Super Bowl championship, died at 86, his family announced Friday, October 9. The family statement gave no cause of death, and reports said none had been disclosed. The family described Ditka as a husband, father, grandfather and friend, and said he would be remembered and missed. The Chicago Bears and the National Football League also issued statements expressing condolences. The Bears said Ditka’s contributions as a player, coach and ambassador helped bring championships to the city and franchise. Ditka’s most prominent coaching achievement came with Chicago’s 1985 team. The Bears went 15-1 in the regular season and defeated the New England Patriots 46-10 in Super Bowl XX on January 26, 1986. The victory delivered the franchise’s first Super Bowl title. Ditka coached Chicago from 1982 through the 1992 season and was named NFL Coach of the Year in 1985 and 1988. Before leading the Bears from the sideline, Ditka became one of the era’s leading tight ends.