The city of Chicago is feeling the pain after learning of the passing of former head coach Mike Ditka.
Former Bears running back Walter Payton's son, Jarrett Payton, announced on the air on 104.3 The Score in Chicago Friday morning that Ditka passed away at the age of 86. Ditka was a long-time NFL tight end and after that became a Super Bowl -winning head coach.
Jarrett Payton took to social media after making the announcement on the air to share the news.
"It’s with a heavy heart that I’m sharing the Ditka family has announced the passing of Mike Ditka this morning.
Da Coach. Hall of Famer. The heartbeat of the ’85 Bears and a Super Bowl champion. Chicago won’t be the same.
Prayers to Diana and the family.
RIP, Coach.
Here’s a statement from the family:
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.
With love and gratitude, The Ditka Family."
Former Bears head coach Mike Ditka passed away at the age of 86
Ditka revolutionized the tight end position, as it went from being a primarily blocking position to being just as much of a pass catcher role. He was a fifth overall pick of the Bears in the 1961 NFL Draft, where he went for 1,076 yards and 12 touchdowns in his rookie season.
In 12 NFL seasons, Ditka caught 427 passes for 5,812 yards and 43 touchdowns. He was a five-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro selection. Ditka played for the Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, and Dallas Cowboys.
10 years after retiring in 1972, Ditka became the head coach of the Bears. He was in Chicago for 11 seasons, going 106-62 as the head coach, 6-6 in the postseason, and led the Bears to their only Super Bowl in 1985 in a blowout win over the New England Patriots. In eight of the 11 years he was there, Ditka led the Bears to winning records in the regular season.
After his time with the Bears, he would returning to coaching for the New Orleans Saints from 1997 through 1999. He went 15-33 with the Saints.
Ditka was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the first tight end to ever do so.
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On behalf of everyone at Bear Goggles On, we send our thoughts and prayers to Ditka's family and firends during this difficult time. We, along with the city of Chicago, share in your grief in losing a franchise icon.
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