Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson has delivered an emotional tribute to Mike Ditka after the franchise icon died at 86 on Friday.
The family of the legendary former Bears coach and player said Ditka died at approximately 9 a.m., surrounded by relatives and close friends.
Speaking to reporters later that day ahead of Chicago’s grudge match with the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Johnson said: ‘As far as I’m concerned, Coach Ditka is the gold standard for this organization.
‘He’s a legend here, both as a player and as a coach. His influence continues to be felt to this day.’
‘As the Bears’ head coach, I feel humbled to occupy the same chair he once held. It’s a sad day.’
Ditka guided Chicago to its only Super Bowl championship in 1985. His playing career was equally distinguished: he was part of the Bears’ 1963 NFL championship team and later won a Super Bowl with the Dallas Cowboys in 1971.
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson has paid an emotional tribute to Mike Ditka after his death
Mike Ditka led the Bears to their only Super Bowl title in 1985 and became a Chicago sporting icon
Johnson said he never met Ditka personally, but understands the former coach’s immense significance to the Bears as he attempts to become only the second coach to lead Chicago to Super Bowl glory.
‘I don’t know if there has been a head coach with that much success — other than, obviously, George Halas — over what I believe was 11 years, with that many winning seasons, that kind of win-loss record and a Super Bowl victory,’ he added.
‘As a head coach, it has been difficult to match what he achieved since then, and certainly as a player as well.’
The Bears selected Ditka with the fifth overall pick in the 1961 NFL Draft. He went on to win Rookie of the Year after becoming the first tight end to surpass 1,000 receiving yards.
A powerful blocker, Ditka was also a dangerous receiving option. His versatility helped establish the blueprint for the modern NFL tight end.
Ditka became the first tight end inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He spent six seasons with Chicago, followed by two with the Philadelphia Eagles and four with the Cowboys.
He was inducted into both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame. During a 2013 ceremony, the Bears announced that Ditka’s ‘No. 89’ jersey would be the final number retired by the franchise.
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‘It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, Mike Ditka,’ his family said in a statement.
‘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.’
Mike Ditka transformed the tight end position during his playing days with the Bears, Eagles and Cowboys
Ditka, pictured in 2020, also coached the New Orleans Saints before departing after three seasons
Following his retirement as a player in 1973, Ditka joined Tom Landry’s highly respected Cowboys staff as an assistant coach, remaining in Dallas for eight seasons.
Ditka was hired to lead the Bears by his former coach and the team’s founder George Halas in 1982. Ditka led them to the playoffs seven times in 11 seasons and reached the NFC title game three times.
But it is Ditka’s 1985 Bears who are remembered for their sheer dominance, going 15-1 while ranking among the top teams in football on offense and defense before obliterating the New England Patriots, 46-10 in Super Bowl XX.
However, that Chicago team was also remembered as a divided locker room, with defensive stars giving their allegiance to defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan while the offense rallied around Ditka.
The schism was crystallized in the moments after the Super Bowl XX win in New Orleans, where both Ditka and Ryan were lifted onto players’ shoulders following the blowout victory.
Although the two were known to have an intense locker-room rivalry before Ryan became the Philadelphia Eagles head coach in 1986, Ditka later made amends with his former assistant, whom he credited for the Super Bowl win.
‘There’s no way that we win anything without that defense, without his coaching, and I think everybody understands that,’ Ditka told ESPN in 2016.
Ditka was eventually fired by the Bears after the 1992 season. Following a five-year absence, he returned to coaching with the New Orleans Saints, but failed to revive the franchise.
After a miserable 1999 season ended with a 3-13 record – Ditka’s worst as either a player or coach – he left the sidelines for good.
In a statement, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said: ‘Mike Ditka epitomized football over so many years. He brought intensity, authenticity, and an unmistakable personality to everything he did.
‘As a Hall of Fame player, Super Bowl-winning coach with his beloved and iconic Bears, and as a broadcaster, Mike served as an ambassador for the game and inspired generations of fans. Through his work with the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund, Mike was a champion for taking care of those who helped build our game. We extend our deepest condolences to Diana and the Ditka family.’
