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."
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."
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.
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. BettmannThe pinnacle of Ditka's six-year run with the Bears came in 1963, when #89 helped lead the team to an NFL championship.
Ditka would cap off his playing days by catching a touchdown in Super Bowl VI for the Dallas Cowboys. Upon retirement, he immediately joined Tom Landry's coaching staff in Dallas.
As coach, both fans and the media couldn't get enough of Ditka's gruff and tough coaching persona. Ditka's fiery sideline demeanor quickly turned into on-field success.
The 1985 Bears reached and won Super Bowl XX. On Jan. 26, 1986, in New Orleans, Ditka's Bears dominated the New England Patriots 46-10, making Ditka one of only two men to win an NFL title as a player, assistant coach, and head coach.
Head Coach Mike Ditka of the Chicago Bears gets carried off the field after they defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX January 26, 1986 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Bears won the Super Bowl 46-10. Focus On Sport / Getty ImagesHowever, later that year, he suffered a heart attack. He would recover, and in 1990, he led the Bears to a sixth division crown.
Ditka later returned to the NFL for a three-season stint as head coach of the New Orleans Saints, from 1997 through 1999. Afterward, Ditka retired from coaching.
In late 2013, Chicago's favorite Grabowski received the ultimate tribute — as his iconic jersey #89 was retired during a halftime ceremony at Soldier Field.
Ditka also had a longstanding relationship with CBS Chicago. Throughout his run as Bears head coach, Ditka also made weekly appearances during football season with Channel 2 sports director Johnny Morris on "The Mike Ditka Show."
Mike Ditka and CBS Chicago sports director Johnny Morris on the last edition of "The Mike Ditka Show" on WBBM-TV, CBS Channel 2, January 1993. CBSDitka was also a commercial spokesperson for many products and an avid golfer. He was also closely tied to Misericordia, the Chicago facility that serves young people with developmental and physical disabilities.
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