Legendary Chicago Bears Coach Mike Ditka Dead at 86

Mike Ditka, the former NFL player and coaching legend who led the Chicago Bears to a Super Bowl championship in 1986, has died. He was 86.

Ditka’s death was announced on Friday by Jarrett Payton, son of the late Walter Payton, who was coached by Ditka in the 80s.

“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mike Ditka,” his family said in a statement shared by Payton. “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.”

Ditka’s storied coaching career came after he played 12 seasons in the NFL as a tight end with the Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, and Dallas Cowboys. The tight end was drafted by the Bears in 1961 and won rookie of the year.

He was twice an NFL champion, first with the Bears in 1963 (before the Super Bowl was established) and in 1972 with the Cowboys.

Ditka was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1988.

After coaching, Ditka joined the broadcast booth in the 90s, working as an analyst for NBC, CBS, and ESPN before stepping away in 2016.

Watch above via Fox News.

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