Mike Ditka, legendary Bears coach who led Chicago to its only Super Bowl title, dies at 86

Sports Mike Ditka, legendary Bears coach who led Chicago to its only Super Bowl title, dies at 86 By Matt Zahn, Matt Zahn Sports Matt Zahn joined CBS2 Chicago in October 2016 as a sports reporter and fill-in sports anchor. Matt arrived just as the Cubs won the World Series. Read Full Bio Matt Zahn, Adam Harrington Adam Harrington Web Producer, CBS Chicago Adam Harrington is a digital producer at CBS Chicago, where he first arrived in January 2006. Read Full Bio Adam Harrington Updated on: October 9, 2026 / 12:04 PM CDT / CBS Chicago Add CBS News on Google Mike Ditka, a football legend who went from a star tight end for the Chicago Bears to its most famous coach to this day, has died at the age of 86.His family confirmed his death in a statement, writing, "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."The Bears released a statement, writing in part, "Mike's impact on the Chicago Bears organization, over decades as a player, coach, and proud icon and ambassador for our organization, is immeasurable...We extend our love, prayers, and heartfelt condolences to the Ditka family, and join all Bears fans in deep sadness and reverence as we remember and honor Mike Ditka." The NFL posted a statement on their social media, writing, "The NFL is deeply saddened by the passing of Hall of Fame coach and tight end, Mike Ditka. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones."Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker also posted about his death, writing, "Da Coach was not only an icon in Chicago, but the entire football world. Our thoughts are with Mike Ditka's family, friends, and Bears fans today. May his memory be a blessing."Pro Football Hall of Fame President and CEO Jim Porter responded to Ditka's death in a statement, saying, "Mike brought competitiveness and a hard-nosed play style as he developed into both a fantastic blocker and someone who could punish would-be tacklers on his receptions...Mike's captivating personality and leadership qualities will be preserved and celebrated forever in Canton." The Hall of Fame said the flag outside their museum will be flown at half staff in Ditka's honor.  Emery Moorehead, a tight end on Ditka's Super Bowl-winning team, shared his memories of his coach with CBS News Chicago. "He had huge passion for the game," Moorehead said. "Everybody played at an emotional high every week because that's how coach felt.""'Da Coach,' as we knew him, was like this invincible character that you thought would live forever," said former CBS News Chicago sports anchor Ryan Baker, who knew Ditka well and interviewed him often. "So it feels surreal to be talking about the passing of Mike Ditka, even though it was inevitable."Ditka still looms large in the Bears' legend, and remains an extremely popular figure among Bears fans and in pop culture. Recently, a recently engaged couple went viral for sharing a smooch at a Bears game while they were both dressed as the coach.  Ditka was born Oct. 18, 1939. Before he became Da Coach, the legend of "Iron" Mike Ditka was forged in the blue-collar town of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, northwest of Pittsburgh.Ditka never forgot his working-class roots, but he did use football as his ticket out of working in the steel mills. He earned a scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh, where he became an All-American tight end in 1960."If you wanted to be good at something, you had to work at it," Ditka told CBS Chicago in 1985, "and nobody was going to give you nothing for nothing." The Bears drafted him fifth overall in 1961. He was named the NFL's rookie of the year and went on to revolutionize the tight end position as a pass-catcher. Chicago Bears' Tight End Mike Ditka shown full length catching football, 1960s. Bettmann "I didn't particularly like those people I was playing against, I really didn't," Ditka said.