Bears legend Mike Ditka passes away at 86

Pro Football Hall of Famer and Chicago Bears icon Mike Ditka has passed away at the age of 86, his family announced Friday morning. Ditka made an indelible mark on the sport as both an elite tight end and a legendary head coach, leading the Bears to victory in Super Bowl XX. The franchise released a statement honoring his decades of contributions as a player, coach, and beloved team ambassador.

Ditka originally joined Chicago as the fifth overall pick in the 1961 draft, winning the 1963 NFL championship and earning enshrinement in Canton in 1988. As head coach from 1982 to 1992, he recorded 112 wins, captured six NFC Central division titles, and guided the dominant 1985 Bears to a historic 15-1 season and a Super Bowl title.