Mike Ditka death: NFL hall of fame, Chicago Bears legend Iron Mike became restaurateur after retiring as coach

Mike Ditka has died, his family announced on ‌Friday. The NFL legend was 86-year-old. Ditka was the first tight end to be inducted into the Pro Football ⁠Hall of Fame and later led Chicago Bears to a Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl XX. Ditka won NFL titles as a player and coach with the Chicago Bears.

"It is with profound sadness that we ​announce the passing of our ​beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mike ‌Ditka," ⁠the family said in a statement. "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. Mike ⁠will ​be missed beyond ​measure and remembered forever. With love and ​gratitude, The Ditka Family," the family said in the statement.

Ditka's family announced the death on Friday in a statement. However, a cause of death was not immediately announced.


Nicknamed "Iron Mike" as a player, Ditka helped revolutionize the tight-end position, then moved to the sidelines and took over as Chicago’s coach. His 1985 team featured one of the game’s most dominant defenses ever. It also had enough outsized personalities to record a rap video, “The Super Bowl Shuffle,” and back up their boasting in the championship game three months later.

After retiring as a coach, Ditka became a restaurateur, pitchman and TV personality, as well as a forceful advocate for improved medical and retirement benefits for former players.

Ditka was tough and gruff, the quintessential Chicago Bear. He did everything from order off the menu to knock defensive backs on their butts with a growl. His adopted hometown reveled in every minute.

Still revered as "Da Coach" and ringmaster of the 1985 Bears, one of the most dominant and perhaps the zaniest Super Bowl-winning team in league history. Ditka was enshrined in the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame and the Bears said during a ceremony in 2013 that his "No. 89" jersey will be the last one retired by the team.

Ditka left Chicago in 1966, playing briefly for Philadelphia and Dallas. He moved to the sideline in 1973 as an assistant to the revered Tom Landry and stayed with the Cowboys for eight seasons, before returning to a hero's welcome in Chicago as head coach in 1982.

Ditka's return to the Bears lasted 10 tumultuous years, including five straight NFC Central titles, the Super Bowl win, a DUI conviction, a heart attack, a long-running feud with defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan and, finally, a new nickname — “Da Coach.”