Though Mike Ditka emphasized success isn’t permanent, his legacy certainly is.
The Chicago Bears former tight end and legendary coach Mike Ditka has died, his family announced Oct. 9. He was 86.
“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 to ESPN. “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.”
Ditka’s loved ones, which included four children with his first wife Marge Dougherty and wife of nearly 50 years Diana Ditka, added, “Mike will be missed beyond measure and remembered forever.”
No cause of death has yet been shared publicly.
Ditka—who was the first ever tight-end to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame—was the coach for the Bears from 1982 until 1992, during which time he led the team to its first and only Super Bowl title in 1985. (His tenure as coach also served as inspiration for the recurring Saturday Night Live sketch Bill Swerski’s Superfans.)
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