Mike Ditka, legendary Bears coach who led Chicago to its only Super Bowl title, dies at 86

Sports Mike Ditka, legendary Bears coach who led Chicago to its only Super Bowl title, dies at 86 By Ryan Baker, Ryan Baker Sports Director Ryan Baker is the sports director at CBS Chicago. He joined the station in April 2008. Read Full Bio Ryan Baker, Adam Harrington Adam Harrington Web Producer, CBS Chicago Adam Harrington is a digital producer at CBS Chicago, where he first arrived in January 2006. Read Full Bio Adam Harrington Updated on: October 9, 2026 / 11:00 AM CDT / CBS Chicago Add CBS News on Google Mike Ditka, a football legend who went from a star tight end for the Chicago Bears to its most famous coach to this day, has died at the age of 86.His family confirmed his death in a statement, writing, "It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mike Ditka. 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."The NFL posted a statement on their social media, writing, "The NFL is deeply saddened by the passing of Hall of Fame coach and tight end, Mike Ditka. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones."Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker also posted about his death, writing, "Da Coach was not only an icon in Chicago, but the entire football world. Our thoughts are with Mike Ditka's family, friends, and Bears fans today. May his memory be a blessing."Pro Football Hall of Fame President and CEO Jim Porter responded to Ditka's death in a statement, saying, "Mike brought competitiveness and a hard-nosed play style as he developed into both a fantastic blocker and someone who could punish would-be tacklers on his receptions...Mike's captivating personality and leadership qualities will be preserved and celebrated forever in Canton." The Hall of Fame said the flag outside their museum will be flown at half staff in Ditka's honor. Ditka was born Oct. 18, 1939. Before he became Da Coach, the legend of "Iron" Mike Ditka was forged in the blue-collar town of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, northwest of Pittsburgh. Ditka never forgot his working-class roots, but he did use football as his ticket out of working in the steel mills. He earned a scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh, where he became an All-American tight end in 1960."If you wanted to be good at something, you had to work at it," Ditka told CBS Chicago in 1985, "and nobody was going to give you nothing for nothing." The Bears drafted him fifth overall in 1961. He was named the NFL's rookie of the year and went on to revolutionize the tight end position as a pass-catcher. Chicago Bears' Tight End Mike Ditka shown full length catching football, 1960s. Bettmann "I didn't particularly like those people I was playing against, I really didn't," Ditka said. "I wasn't a guy who went up and shook hands before the game or after the game." The pinnacle of Ditka's six-year run with the Bears came in 1963, when #89 helped lead the team to an NFL championship.However, after a contract dispute with owner George "Papa Bear" Halas, the five-time Pro Bowler was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles prior to the 1967 season.Ditka would cap off his playing days by catching a touchdown in Super Bowl VI for the Dallas Cowboys. Upon retirement, he immediately joined Tom Landry's coaching staff in Dallas.In 1982, Ditka's career came full circle when Halas brought him back to the Bears as the 10th head coach in franchise history.As coach, both fans and the media couldn't get enough of Ditka's gruff and tough coaching persona. Ditka's fiery sideline demeanor quickly turned into on-field success."I don't want to be competitive. I know what that is," Ditka said in 1985. "I want to be the winner."The 1985 Bears reached and won Super Bowl XX. On Jan. 26, 1986, in New Orleans, Ditka's Bears dominated the New England Patriots 46-10, making Ditka one of only two men to win an NFL title as a player, assistant coach, and head coach.