Mike Ditka, then a star college football player at the University of Pittsburgh, studies film of Notre Dame with Pitt head coach Johnny Michelosen on 2 November 1960. Ditka went on to become one of the NFL’s leading tight ends before finding fame as a coach.
Mike Ditka, then a star college football player at the University of Pittsburgh, studies film of Notre Dame with Pitt head coach Johnny Michelosen on 2 November 1960. Ditka went on to become one of the NFL’s leading tight ends before finding fame as a coach.Photograph: WFS/AP
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Ditka during his playing days with the Chicago Bears, where he spent six seasons from 1961 to 1966.
Ditka during his playing days with the Chicago Bears, where he spent six seasons from 1961 to 1966.Photograph: Robert Riger/Getty Images
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Ditka catches a touchdown pass from quarterback Bill Wade as Detroit Lions defender Gary Lowe closes in during the second quarter of a game in Detroit on 29 September 1963. The Bears won 37-21.
Ditka catches a touchdown pass from quarterback Bill Wade as Detroit Lions defender Gary Lowe closes in during the second quarter of a game in Detroit on 29 September 1963. The Bears won 37-21.Photograph: Bettmann/Bettmann Archive
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Ditka (89) is tackled after making a catch during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Wrigley Field in Chicago on 16 October 1966. He was later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988 for his achievements as a tight end, rather than as a coach, becoming the first player at his position to receive the honor.
Ditka (89) is tackled after making a catch during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Wrigley Field in Chicago on 16 October 1966. He was later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988 for his achievements as a tight end, rather than as a coach, becoming the first player at his position to receive the honor.Photograph: AP
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Craig Morton (far right) looks over his receiving corps, including Ditka (second from right), alongside Reggie Rucker, Dennis Homan, Bob Hayes and Pettis Norman, ahead of a playoff game against the Detroit Lions on 26 December 1970.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Craig Morton (far right) looks over his receiving corps, including Ditka (second from right), alongside Reggie Rucker, Dennis Homan, Bob Hayes and Pettis Norman, ahead of a playoff game against the Detroit Lions on 26 December 1970.Photograph: Bettmann/Bettmann Archive
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Ditka looks on from the sideline during a game. He coached the Bears from 1982 to 1992, leading them to their only Super Bowl victory in January 1986.
Ditka looks on from the sideline during a game. He coached the Bears from 1982 to 1992, leading them to their only Super Bowl victory in January 1986.Photograph: Bettmann/Bettmann Archive
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Ditka poses for a portrait.
Ditka poses for a portrait.Photograph: Bettmann/Bettmann Archive
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Ditka speaks at a press conference in New Orleans on 24 January 1986, two days before his team faced the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX at the Louisiana Superdome.
Ditka speaks at a press conference in New Orleans on 24 January 1986, two days before his team faced the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX at the Louisiana Superdome.Photograph: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
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Ditka (right) talks with NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle before Super Bowl XX against the Patriots at the Superdome in New Orleans on 26 January 1986.
Ditka (right) talks with NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle before Super Bowl XX against the Patriots at the Superdome in New Orleans on 26 January 1986.Photograph: Focus On Sport/Getty Images
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Ditka is carried off the field after his team defeated the Patriots 46-10 at the Superdome. It remains the Bears’ only Super Bowl victory.
Ditka is carried off the field after his team defeated the Patriots 46-10 at the Superdome. It remains the Bears’ only Super Bowl victory.Photograph: Chicago Tribune/TNS
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Ditka talks with quarterback Mike Hohensee during an NFL practice session in Lake Forest, Illinois, on 25 September 1987.
Ditka talks with quarterback Mike Hohensee during an NFL practice session in Lake Forest, Illinois, on 25 September 1987.Photograph: Charles Bennet/AP
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Comedian and television host Tom Dreesen interviews Ditka during a taping of Night Time Starring Tom Dreesen at ABC’s television studios in Chicago on 22 March 1988.
Comedian and television host Tom Dreesen interviews Ditka during a taping of Night Time Starring Tom Dreesen at ABC’s television studios in Chicago on 22 March 1988.Photograph: Paul Natkin/Getty Images
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Ditka (sixth from left) poses alongside NFL stars including Boomer Esiason, Lawrence Taylor, Phil Simms, Eric Dickerson and John Elway on the set of a Doritos Super Bowl commercial in Los Angeles in 1993.
Ditka (sixth from left) poses alongside NFL stars including Boomer Esiason, Lawrence Taylor, Phil Simms, Eric Dickerson and John Elway on the set of a Doritos Super Bowl commercial in Los Angeles in 1993.Photograph: Roxanne McCann/Getty Images
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Soldier Field is reflected in the sunglasses of New Orleans Saints head coach Mike Ditka as he smokes a cigar before a pre-season game against his former team, the Chicago Bears, on 22 August 1997. It was Ditka’s first appearance at the stadium since leaving the Bears in 1992.
Soldier Field is reflected in the sunglasses of New Orleans Saints head coach Mike Ditka as he smokes a cigar before a pre-season game against his former team, the Chicago Bears, on 22 August 1997. It was Ditka’s first appearance at the stadium since leaving the Bears in 1992.Photograph: Vincent Laforet/AFP/Getty Images
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Ditka argues a call during a game against the Miami Dolphins in Miami on 29 November 1998. He finished his coaching career with New Orleans, spending three largely unsuccessful seasons in charge from 1997 to 1999 after his celebrated tenure with Chicago.
Ditka argues a call during a game against the Miami Dolphins in Miami on 29 November 1998. He finished his coaching career with New Orleans, spending three largely unsuccessful seasons in charge from 1997 to 1999 after his celebrated tenure with Chicago.Photograph: Rhona Wise/AFP/Getty Images
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Ditka considered running for the US Senate as a Republican in Illinois in 2004 after the party’s original candidate, Jack Ryan, withdrew amid a sex scandal. Ditka, a popular figure in the state, ultimately decided against entering the race.
Ditka considered running for the US Senate as a Republican in Illinois in 2004 after the party’s original candidate, Jack Ryan, withdrew amid a sex scandal. Ditka, a popular figure in the state, ultimately decided against entering the race.Photograph: Scott Halleran/Getty Images
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Ditka’s larger-than-life persona became a fixture of American popular culture, inspiring frequent parodies on shows including Saturday Night Live, where comedian Horatio Sanz portrayed the former Chicago Bears coach in a sketch aired on 16 April 2005.
Ditka’s larger-than-life persona became a fixture of American popular culture, inspiring frequent parodies on shows including Saturday Night Live, where comedian Horatio Sanz portrayed the former Chicago Bears coach in a sketch aired on 16 April 2005.Photograph: NBC/NBCUniversal/Getty Images
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Ditka testifies before a US Senate committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on 18 September 2007. The hearing examined the NFL’s retirement benefits system and compensation for former players suffering from long-term injuries sustained during their careers.
Ditka testifies before a US Senate committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on 18 September 2007. The hearing examined the NFL’s retirement benefits system and compensation for former players suffering from long-term injuries sustained during their careers.Photograph: Win McNamee/Getty Images
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Ditka (right) presents a team jersey to Barack Obama during a White House ceremony honoring the Bears’ 1985 Super Bowl-winning team in Washington on 7 October 2011.
Ditka (right) presents a team jersey to Barack Obama during a White House ceremony honoring the Bears’ 1985 Super Bowl-winning team in Washington on 7 October 2011.Photograph: Pablo Martínez Monsiváis/AP
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Ditka stands alongside Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon during the national anthem before a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at Wrigley Field in Chicago on 8 June 2017.
Ditka stands alongside Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon during the national anthem before a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at Wrigley Field in Chicago on 8 June 2017.Photograph: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
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Ditka is honored as a member of the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team before Super Bowl LIV between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on 2 February 2020.
Ditka is honored as a member of the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team before Super Bowl LIV between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on 2 February 2020.Photograph: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
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