Updated 1w+ ago · Sports
Mike Ditka, Chicago Bears Legend and Hall of Famer, Dies at 86
Mike Ditka, who won NFL titles as a Chicago Bears player and head coach, has died at 86. His family announced the death Friday.
- 1985: Ditka coached the Bears to their only Super Bowl title.
- 46-10 was the Bears' Super Bowl XX win over New England.
- 1988: He became the first tight end inducted into the Pro Football Hall.
- Two people in NFL history won titles as player, assistant and head coach. Ditka is one.
Why it matters: Ditka helped change how NFL offenses used tight ends. As coach, he became one of Chicago's most recognizable sports figures.
- After coaching, he pushed for better medical and retirement benefits for former players.
- The Bears said in 2013 his No. 89 will be the last jersey they retire.
How 63 sources split on this story
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63 sources · 129 articles · 41% Center coverage
Center coverage, 26 sources: The center casts Ditka as the archetypal Chicago Bear, tracing his career from player to coach to TV personality.
CTV News1w+Mike Ditka, the quintessential Chicago Bear and a Pro Football Hall of Famer, dies at 86Heavy1w+Saints HC Kellen Moore Shares Tribute to Mike DitkaChicago Tribune1w+Bob Odenkirk on how Mike Ditka made ‘Superfans’ of us allUSA Today1w+Mike Ditka was an American original who revolutionized football beyond Chicago | OpinionPennLive1w+Bears legend Mike Ditka dies after years of health battlesNewsweek1w+Lions HC Dan Campbell's immediate reaction to hearing about Mike Ditka's deathRealClearPolitics1w+Mike Ditka: Da Farewell to Da CoachESPN1w+Legendary coach, Hall of Fame TE Mike Ditka dies at age 86 - ESPNReuters1w+Mike Ditka, Hall of Fame player and Bears coach, dies at 86TMZ1w+Brett Favre, Ted Cruz, Dan Campbell Remember Late NFL legend Mike DitkaWPXI Pittsburgh1w+Mike Ditka tributes pour in from President Trump, former President Obama, Chicago and the NFLabc27 (WHTM)1w+Mike Ditka, legendary former Chicago Bears head coach, dies at 86Associated Press1w+Mike Ditka, the quintessential Chicago Bear, dies at 86Deadline1w+Mike Ditka Dies: NFL Icon & Analyst Who Inspired Classic ‘SNL’ Skit Was 86FOX 5 Atlanta1w+Former Chicago Bears head coach, football icon Mike Ditka diesKXAN Austin1w+Mike Ditka, legendary former Chicago Bears head coach, dies at 86Scripps News1w+Mike Ditka, Hall of Fame player and Bears Super Bowl coach, dies at 86The Dallas Morning News1w+Mike Ditka was Chicago's own, but Dallas was the turning point in his life and careerThe National Desk1w+Legendary NFL head coach Mike Ditka dies at 86WDTN Dayton1w+Mike Ditka tributes pour in from former President Obama, Chicago's sports teams and around the NFLWESH 2 News1w+Legendary coach, Hall of Fame tight end Mike Ditka dies at age 86WFLA News Channel 81w+Mike Ditka, legendary former Chicago Bears head coach, dies at 86: ReportsWGAL 81w+Legendary coach, Hall of Fame tight end Mike Ditka dies at age 86WKBN Youngstown1w+Mike Ditka, legendary former Chicago Bears head coach, dies at 86: ReportsWPLG Local 101w+Mike Ditka, the quintessential Chicago Bear, dies at 86WSAV Savannah1w+Mike Ditka, legendary former Chicago Bears head coach, dies at 86
Left coverage, 14 sources: The left frames Ditka as the defining figure of Chicago football, centered on the 1985 Bears and his gruff persona.
The Guardian1w+Mike Ditka, legendary Chicago Bears head coach, dies at 86CNN1w+Mike Ditka, the quintessential Chicago Bear, dies at 86Cleveland.com1w+Bears legend Mike Ditka dies after years of health battlesThe Independent1w+Mike Ditka: NFL icon who won the Super Bowl as a player and coach diesABC News1w+Mike Ditka, legendary NFL player and coach, dies at 86Mediaite1w+Trump Praises NFL Legend Mike Ditka as a ‘Great Champion’ and Declares He Was ‘MAGA All ...Boston.com1w+Mike Ditka, the quintessential Chicago Bear, dies at 86Hollywood Reporter1w+Mike Ditka, No-Nonsense Chicago Bears Legend and TV Analyst, Dies at 86Los Angeles Times1w+Mike Ditka, coach of 1985 Chicago Bears and first HOF tight end, diesNBC News1w+Mike Ditka, legendary Chicago Bears coach, dies at 86The Boston Globe1w+Chicago Bears legend Mike Ditka dead at 86The New York Times1w+Mike Ditka, Fiery Coach of the Chicago Bears, Has DiedThe Philadelphia Inquirer1w+Jeffrey Lurie on Mike Ditka’s legacy and the state of the Eagles.Variety1w+Mike Ditka Dead: Chicago Bears Coach and Analyst Was 86
Right coverage, 23 sources: The right centers his Hall of Fame playing career and his Super Bowl win as a coach.
NTD1w+Mike Ditka, Hall of Fame Bears Player and Super Bowl-Winning Coach, Dies at 86Fox News1w+NFL coaches share incredible Mike Ditka stories as football world mourns the Bears legendBreitbart News1w+Trump Remembers Mike Ditka as a ‘Winner’ and ‘Tough Cookie’Daily Mail1w+'Humbled' Bears coach Ben Johnson pays emotional tribute to Mike Ditka after Chicago icon's death at 86New York Post1w+Lions coach shares touching memory of Mike Ditka after learning of Bears legend's deathThe Western Journal1w+Remembering 'Iron' Mike Ditka and His Message for Anthem-Kneelers, Flag Disrespecters Like Colin KaepernickCitizen Free Press1w+NFL (chicago bears) legend Mike Dikta passes away at 86.Just the News1w+Legendary NFL coach Mike Ditka dies at 86The Epoch Times1w+Chicago Bears Icon Mike Ditka Dies at 86The Gateway Pundit1w+(VIDEO) Trump Releases Reacts to Bears Legend Mike Ditka’s Passing, Releases Statement: “He Was MAGA All the Way” * The Gateway Pundit * by Jordan ConradsonHot Air1w+Saturday's Final WordIndependent Journal Review1w+NFL legend Mike Ditka dies at 86Newsmax1w+Mike Ditka, the Quintessential Chicago Bear, Dies at 86One America News1w+Mike Ditka, the quintessential Chicago Bear and a Pro Football Hall of Famer, dies at 86PJ Media1w+America Remembers Larger-Than-Life Football Legend Mike DitkaRedState1w+We Lost a Legend: Mike Ditka, Super Bowl-Winning Coach of Da Bears, Gone at 86The Blaze1w+Mike Ditka, iconic Chicago Bears coach, passes away at 86: 'Chicago won't be the same'The Center Square1w+Football, Chicago legend Ditka diesThe Daily Caller1w+Legendary Chicago Bears Coach Dead At 86The Daily Wire1w+Mike Ditka, Ultimate Gridiron Tough Guy, Dies At 86The Post Millennial1w+BREAKING: Legendary NFL coach Mike Ditka dies at 86The Right Scoop1w+BREAKING: Legendary Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka DEAD at 86Townhall1w+Legendary Chicago Bears Coach Mike Ditka Dies at Age 86
What’s next: No cause of death has been announced.
- What caused Ditka's death?
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