Iron Mike. Oh, man.
A part of every football fan just died with “Da Coach” himself.
Myself, I can’t believe he’s gone. Mike Ditka died Friday at 86.
Somehow the guy seemed immortal, like an Easter Island statue, like a high rift in the granite mantle of the Earth itself.
Every Chicagoan is diminished in some way with Mike Ditka not here anymore.
Was the guy perfect? Ha! Not even close.
But, brother, was he a competitor, a character, a warm, caring, nasty, walking, talking whirlwind of ferocity, tenderness and crazy contradictions. Kind of like this city itself, the Chicago he adopted despite his roots in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania.
I mean, Ditka didn’t just wear his heart on his sleeve; the dude wore it on a banner he carried high above him, daring anyone to say he was wrong about anything, to challenge him, to show they had more passion for his beloved game of football and winning and stomping the earth than he did.
A decade ago, I asked him about life moving so fast — days long, maybe, but years flying by. He grinned that slight, somewhat impish grin he had, behind that mustache he kept even when mustaches weren’t cool, the bristle brush that became part of his logo, in that face of his that truly resembled a bear’s. He’d thought about the ending.
“I’m coming around third in this life,” he said, “going for home with a headfirst slide.”
Is that not perfect?
Bears Hall of Fame tight end Mike Ditka poses for a photo during training camp at St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Indiana, Aug. 5, 1963. |
AP Photo
Chicago Bears tight end Mike Ditka #89 assumes a horizontal position as he snares a pass and is hit at same time by Los Angeles Rams defensive back Carver Shannon during the second quarter at Chicago’s Wrigley Field, Nov. 10, 1963. |
Sun-Times file photo
Chicago Bears tight end Mike Ditka hauls in a pass from quarterback Bill Wade for touchdown in the second quarter at Wrigley Field, Aug. 8, 1964. |
Sun-Times file photo
Chicago Bears quarterback Rudy Bukich #10 rolls away from Detroit Lions linebacker Wally Hilgenberg #67 and flips a 3-yard touchdown pass to tight end Mike Ditka #89 at Wrigley Field, Oct. 24, 1965. |
Sun-Times file photo
Chicago Bears tight end Mike Ditka #89 catches a pass from quarterback Rudy Bukich in the first quarter for a gain of yards at Wrigley Field, Nov. 8, 1965. |
Ralph Arvidson/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears tight end Mike Ditka #89 doesn’t let teammate Dick Gordon interfere with his pass catching, as he snares a throw from quarterback Rudy Bukich during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Wrigley Field, Dec. 10, 1965. |
Sun-Times file photo
Mike Ditka, new head coach of the Chicago Bears, demonstrates a running drill for his players at the opening of the Bears’ training camp at Lake Forest College, July 26, 1982. |
AP Photo
Bears coach Mike Ditka isn’t burying his head in the sand, he’s showing off a head stand during workout in Lake Forest, Aug. 11, 1982. |
Dom Najolia/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka introduces the team’s first round draft pick Marshall Wilber to the media, May 1, 1984. |
UPI
Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka talks with players at training camp, July 30, 1985. |
UPI
Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka chats with Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry before the game starts at Texas Stadium, Nov. 17, 1985. |
Barry Jarvinen/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka speaks with quarterback Jim McMahon during a timeout against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Solder Field, Sept. 8, 1985. |
Phil Velasquez/Sun-Times
Mike Ditka puts the reins on William Ferry when Perry tried to enter the game during the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Soldier Field, Nov. 24, 1985. |
Barry Jarvinen/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears defensive end Richard Dent hugs coach Mike Ditka after the victory over New England in Super Bowl XX, Jan. 26, 1986. |
UPI
Chiago Bears coach Mike Ditka is carried off the field by defensive linemen William Perry and Steve McMichael after the Bears defeated the New England Patriots 46-10 in Super Bowl XX, Jan. 26, 1986. |
Phil Velasquez/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka is carried off the field by Steve McMichael, left, and William Perry after the Bears win Super Bowl XX in New Orleans, La., on Jan. 26, 1986. The Bears’ Willie Gault #83 and Maury Buford #8 join in celebrating their 46-10 victory over the New England Patriots. |
AP Photo
Chicago Bear head coach Mike Ditka talks to President Ronald Reagan after Super Bowl XX in New Orleans on Sunday, Jan. 27, 1986 in New Orleans. Ditka got the congratulations while Berry received condolences. The Bears won 46-10. |
AP Photo
Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka stands up in the limo to wave to fans during the Super Bowl victory parade on LaSalle Street in the Loop, Jan. 27, 1986. |
Sun-Times file photo
Fans hold a “Ditka for Mayor sign” at the Washington Redskins vs. Chicago Bears playoff football game at Soldier Field, Jan. 10, 1987. |
Sun-Times file photo
Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka stands on the sidelines during the Washington Redskins playoff game at Soldier Field, Jan. 10, 1987. |
Sun-Times file photo
Mike Ditka, Ken Harrelson, Michael Jordan and Jim McMahon on the golf course during the Pro Celebrity Skins Game for charity at Butler National Golf Course in Oak Brook, July 28, 1987. |
Sun-Times file photo
Former Chicago Bears head coacg Mike Ditka takes a swing during the Pro Celebrity Skins Game for charity at Butler National Golf Course in Oak Brook, July 28, 1987. |
Sun-Times file photo
Former Chicago Bears head coacg Mike Ditka takes a swing during the Pro Celebrity Skins Game for charity at Butler National Golf Course in Oak Brook, July 28, 1987. |
Sun-Times file photo
Chicago Bears football coach Mike Ditka gestures as talk show host Johnny Carson listens during taping of “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” in Burbank, Calif., Jan. 20, 1987. Ditka said he would reevaluate his situation with the Bears at the end of next season. |
AP Photo
Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka talks to quarterback Mike Tomczak during a pre-season game agains the Miami Dolphins in August 1987. |
Sun-Times file photo
Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka talks to quarterback Mike Tomczak during a pre-season game agains the Miami Dolphins in August 1987. |
Sun-Times file photo
Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka pushes Emery Mooread into the game on a 3rd-down play against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field, Oct. 11, 1987. |
Bob Ringham/Sun-Times
Class of 1988 Inductees Fred Blletnlkoff, Mlke Ditka, Jack Ham and Alan Page stand before their friends, family and fans at the conclusion of the 26th Annual Enshrinement Ceremony of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Cantor, Ohio, July 30, 1988. |
UPI
Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka watches practice from his customized golf cart, Saturday, July 23, 1988. |
Sun-Times file photo
Head coach Mike Ditka of the Chicago Bears instructs quarterback Jim McMahon during the Bears 24-6 victory over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Sept. 25, 1988. |
Getty Images
Head coach Mike Ditka of the Chicago Bears instructs quarterback Jim McMahon during the Bears 24-6 victory over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Sept. 25, 1988. |
Sun-Times file photo
Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka stands on the sidelines during a game against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field, Dec. 11, 1988. |
Sun-Times file photo
Mike Ditka gives the charge sign to his pro partner, Jim Benepe, during a Pro-Celebrity Skins Game for charity at Butler National Golf Course, June 27, 1989. |
Sun-Times file photo
Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka watches Bears players during the summer camp workout at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville at 1 University Plaza in Platteville, Wisconsin in July 1989. Onlookers sit on the lawn by the field in the background. |
Sun-Times file photo
Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka works with players during the summer camp workout at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville at 1 University Plaza in Platteville, Wisconsin in August 1989. |
Sun-Times file photo
Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka watches Bears players during the summer camp workout at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville at 1 University Plaza in Platteville, Wisconsin in August 1989. |
Sun-Times file photo
Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka is restrained by defensive end Richard Dent #95 from going after the referee after a disputed call on a pass play in the first half of game against the Minnesota Vikings, Dec. 3, 1989 in Minneapolis. The call against the Bears forced them to punt. |
AP Photo
Mike Ditka poses at the Marshall Fields on State Street as he signs autographs for people who bought his new cologne, called, “Iron Mike,” sold exclusively in the Chicago area, June 15, 1990. |
Richard A. Chapman/Sun-Times
The Chicago Bears football team, including coach Mike Ditka, arrives for their first practice at the McBubble, the Bears’ new indoor practice facility at 3550 Amhurst Parkway in Waukegan, Nov. 21, 2990. |
Sun-Times file photo
Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka stands on the sidelines before a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Soldier Field, Aug. 23, 1990. |
Sun-Times file photo
Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka stands on the sidelines during a game in 1991. |
Sun-Times file photo
Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka stands on the sidelines at Soldier Field as the Bears lose to the New York Giants, 27-14, and Ditka doesn’t like what he sees, Sept. 21, 1992. |
Sun-Times file photo
Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka has a few words for quarterback Jim Harbaugh after an interception in the fourth quarter of the Bears game against the Vikings in Minneapolis, Sunday, Oct. 5, 1992. After the interception, the Vikings came back to win, 21-20. |
AP Photo
Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka argues with reporter Phil Theobald during a day-after-game press conference at Halas Hall in Lake Forest, Oct. 20, 1992. |
Phil Velasquez/Sun-Times
Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka talks with reporters after being fired by team president Michael McCaskey (background), in Lake Forest, Ill., Jan. 5, 1993. Ditka was fired after 11 years as head coach of the Bears. |
AP Photo
Mike Ditka talks to reporters at Halas Hall in Lake Forest after being fired by the Chicago Bears, Jan. 5, 1993. |
Tom Cruze/Sun-Times
Former Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton, left, greets his former coach, Mike Ditka, now the coach of the New Orleans Saints, during pre-game warmups before the Saints – Bears game at Soldier Field in Chicago, Friday night, Aug. 22, 1997. |
AP Photo
New Orleans Saints’ head coach Mike Ditka watches his team play against his former team the Chicago Bears during the first half at Soldier Field in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 3, 1999. |
Michael Schmidt/Sun-Times
New Orleans Saints coach Mike Ditka leaves the field after the Saints’ 45-13 loss to the Carolina Panthers at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Jan. 2, 2000. Ditka was fired as coach of the Saints Wednesday Jan. 5, 2000. |
AP Photo
Former Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka throws out the first pitch before the Chicago Cubs game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field, Friday, Aug. 25, 2000. |
Richard A. Chapman/Sun-Times
Former Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka acknowledges the crowd’s applause after throwing out the first pitch before the Chicago Cubs game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field, Friday, Aug. 25, 2000. |
Richard A. Chapman/Sun-Times
Co-owner Mike Ditka talks briefly with the players after practice at the Chicago Rush arena football team practice facility in Hoffman Estates, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2005. |
Rich Hein/Sun-Times
Coach Mike Ditka talks with Lacy Banks after introducing “Grabowski,” the new mascot for the Chicago Rush arena football team at Ditka’s restaurant, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2005. |
Jean Lachat/Sun-Times
Mike Ditka and coach Will Ferrell in the 2005 movie “Kicking and Screaming.” |
Provided
During a congressional hearing on the National Football League’s system for compensating retired players, Hall of Fame tight end and head coach Mike Ditka listens to testimony June 26, 2007 in Washington, DC. Former players and coaches including Ditka, Harry Carson, and Curt Marsh were scheduled to testify during the hearing before a subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee. |
Getty Images
Mike Ditka blows out candles to celebrate his 71st birthday during a radiocast show with “Silvy & Waddle” at Ditka’s restaurant in Chicago, Oct. 14, 2010. |
Al Podgorski/Sun-Times
Former Chicago Bears head football coach Mike Ditka presents President Barack Obama with a jersey as the 1985 Super Bowl XX Champions as the Bears football team is honored on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Oct. 7, 2011. |
AP Photo
Former Bears’ defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan gestures as he walks in with former head coach Mike Ditka, and President Barack Obama, during an event honoring the 1985 Super Bowl XX Champions Chicago Bears football team on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Oct. 7, 2011. |
AP Photo
Mike Ditka grills his new one-third pound Ditka Sausages during his outdoor Monster Sausage Cookout outside the Vienna Beef Factory Store and Cafe, Monday, Oct. 8, 2013. |
Chandler West/For the Sun-Times
Former Chicago Bears player and coach Mike Ditka speaks as his No. 89 is retired during a halftime ceremony of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 9, 2013. |
AP Photo
Former Chicago Bears player and coach Mike Ditka speaks as his No. 89 is retired during a halftime ceremony of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 9, 2013. |
Michael Schmidt/Sun-Times
Mike Ditka speaks during a City Club of Chicago panel discussion on concussions in the NFL at Maggiano’s Banquets in River North, Sept. 12, 2016. |
Santiago Covarrubias/Sun-Times
Former NFL coach Mike Ditka stands with Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon during the National Anthem before a game against the Colorado Rockies at Wrigley Field on June 8, 2017. |
Getty Images
Mike Ditka takes the stage during the Chicago Bears convention at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Friday, June 7, 2019. |
Mark Black/For the Sun-Times
Chicago Bears legend Mike Ditka walks the Orange Carpet during the Chicago Bears convention at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Friday, June 7, 2019. |
Mark Black/For the Sun-Times
Former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka speaks during a ceremony for the unveiling of statues of Hall of Famers Walter Payton and George Halas outside of Gate 0 at Soldier Field, Tuesday morning, Sept. 3, 2019. |
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka speaks during a ceremony for the unveiling of statues of Hall of Famers Walter Payton and George Halas outside of Gate 0 at Soldier Field, Tuesday morning, Sept. 3, 2019. |
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka signs autographs before a ceremony for the unveiling of statues of Hall of Famers Walter Payton and George Halas outside of Gate 0 at Soldier Field, Tuesday morning, Sept. 3, 2019. |
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka signs autographs before a ceremony for the unveiling of statues of Hall of Famers Walter Payton and George Halas outside of Gate 0 at Soldier Field, Tuesday morning, Sept. 3, 2019. |
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Everything Ditka did — be it playing football, coaching, selling products, yakking on TV, golfing, dealing cards for gin rummy, pontificating on anything under the sun — he did headfirst. That’s the only way he knew to move forward.
Don’t forget he was a very good baseball player, too — and if he’d been as passionate about hitting a ball as he was about hitting safeties, it’s possible he could have gone far in that sport. Ponder this: you’re a catcher and a full-tilt Ditka, sans helmet, is coming at you from third base, headfirst, flat-topped noggin looking like a blacksmith’s anvil.
Help!
I mean, here’s where we stop and laugh the good laugh. Which is what Ditka would want us all to do.
Because he had a sense of humor. And he was self-deprecating and able to make fun of his flaws and juvenile rages and petty grievances. When he broke his right hand after punching a locker after a tough Bears loss and then the next week told his players pregame, “Win one for Lefty,” that’s good stuff.
It’s why Chicago loved him. We love winners. We love guys who lay it all on the line. But we don’t like phonies or stuck-up snobs or cocky rich athletes who don’t appreciate hard work and the meaning of giving your all.
Sometimes Ditka went from one side of the fence to the other, and maybe even back again, depending on his mood. His dad was a steel mill union laborer in Aliquippa, but Mike continued to coach the Bears even when scab players crossed the picket line in 1987. Then he defended the union and all retired players when the head trauma issues came to the fore and too many ex-players faced physical and financial ruin.
He blamed himself often for his impetuousness. After he retaliated against the Lions in 1985 for a perceived slight in an earlier game by having Dave Duerson take out Detroit kicker Eddie Murray on a legal but unneeded hit, he felt guilty. “I was younger and madder than they were,” he told me years later of the Lions coaches.
But anger isn’t his lasting legacy.
Genuineness is. And passion. And winning. (That Super XX championship team recedes like a vapor, doesn’t it?)
But above all, Ditka, oddly, reminds us of love. He had so much of it sometimes, for so many things, he nearly exploded.
What a lovely man he was.
‘Da Coach’ Mike Ditka embodied Chicago, the city he adopted 2026
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