The loss of Chicago Bears legend Mike Ditka came just days before the team was set to take on their biggest and long-standing rivals, the Green Bay Packers.
But despite his own familiarity with the heated rivalry — and his status as one tough Bear — his passing didn’t go unacknowledged by even his former foes.
“We extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends and the entire Chicago Bears organization,” the team wrote in a statement. “One of the fiercest competitors in NFL history, Mike helped define the intensity and tradition of the Packers-Bears rivalry, the oldest in professional football. He embodied the toughness and passion that have made the rivalry one of the most storied in all of sports. While he was a formidable opponent, his contributions to the game and to a rivalry that has meant so much to both franchises will always be respected and remembered by the Green Bay Packers.”
Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur noted that “sometimes in life things happen that are more important than football,” and this was one of them.
“I just wanted to offer my condolences to the Bears and to the Ditka family in memory of Mike Ditka. Obviously a true legend of the game as a player and as a coach,” he told reporters Friday.
While the Bears are planning to head to Lambeau Field for Sunday’s contest, the loss was felt hard at Halas Hall as the team hung the Bears flag at half-staff in Ditka’s honor.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of legendary and treasured Chicago Bear and Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka,” the Bears said in a statement. “Mike’s impact on the Chicago Bears organization, over decades as a player, coach, and proud icon and ambassador for our organization, is immeasurable. His integral role in bringing world championships to our city and our franchise, both as a player and as our coach, established prominence and excellence at a world-class level, but also created a lifetime of cherished memories in the hearts and minds of Bears fans that will last for generations. 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.”
“As far as I’m concerned, Coach Ditka is the gold standard in terms of this place,” Head Coach Ben Johnson told reporters Friday. “I mean, he’s a legend around here as a player, as a coach. His impact is still being felt to this day. And as as the head coach of the Bears, I I feel humbled to be in that same chair that he was once in.”
Known widely for his career with the Chicago Bears, and for being the leader of the team’s 1985 Super Bowl championship team, “Da Coach” died at the age of 86, his family announced in a statement Friday.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mike Ditka,” the statement read. “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.”
And his loss will be felt in the locker room as the team prepares for a moment Ditka knew all too well.
“We certainly started off the week just talking about the history of our team and the Packers as well and just how far back that goes,” Johnson said. “And so it’s a cool opportunity for our guys to write another chapter in this long story that’s gone on between these two organizations. But we’ll certainly – whether that’s this afternoon or tomorrow morning – we’ll talk about Coach Ditka as a team.”
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