Legendary Bears Player and Coach Mike Ditka Passes Away at 86
By: George Ingarra
On October 9th, 2026, Bears head coach Mike Ditka passed away at the age of 86. Every Bears fan will mourn his death. Let’s look back on this iconic player and coach’s legacy.
The ‘85 Bears: Still Chicago’s Team
The 1985 Bears were one of the best football teams in history! They had finished their 1985 season with a 15-1 record. The defense was amazing too, recording 64 sacks and allowing 12.4 points per game. Chicago then went on to blow the Rams and Giants out of the water in the postseason before going on to win the Super Bowl XX 46-10. In total, they destroyed their postseason opponents 91-10. All thanks to Da Coach.
Ditka changes TE position
Before Ditka had entered the NFL, as a player that is, tight ends were just extra linemen who hardly caught passes. Mike treated it as an insult and played insanely. He played up to the 1965 season and retired with 427 receptions.
Coaching and “Da Coach”
In 1981, Mike wrote a letter to the founder George Halas, expressing his desire to coach the team he had played for. His wish had come true, and he got to coach Da Bears. He was also a legend off the field too. He became a huge Chicago fixture, which led to the “Bill Swerski's Superfans” Saturday Night Live sketch. Even though it’s old, it’s still one of my favorites. This earned him the name “Da Coach” and gave the Bears the name “Da Bears.”
We will all miss Da Coach, but Mike Ditka has left behind an incredible legacy, and will be remembered throughout the history of the NFL. Always remember to root for “Da Bears” and hope they smoke their opponents.
References::
Mayer, Larry. “’85 Bears Ranked as Top Team in NFL History.” ’85 Bears Ranked as Top Team in NFL History, 28 Feb. 2023, www.chicagobears.com/news/85-bears-ranked-as-top-team-in-nfl-history.
Smith, Dan. “NFL Future: The Evolution of the Tight End from Ditka to Gronk.” Bleacher Report, Bleacher Report, 1 June 2018, bleacherreport.com/articles/1033565-nfl-future-the-evolution-of-the-tight-end-from-ditka-to-gronk.