NFL Legend Passes

The Chicago Bears are one of the NFL's oldest franchises, having been around for 106 years. They have had many great names and faces come through that organization in their history. One of the names that comes to mind quickly when the Bears get mentioned is Mike Ditka. Ditka's name will forever be connected to the game, whether it's through his playing days as a tight end, or his coaching days in the Windy City. He had an impact on the game that won't ever be matched. The legend passed away yesterday at the age of 86.

First there was the playing career. He was drafted by the Bears 5th overall in the 1961 NFL draft. Ironically he was also taken 8th overall in the ALF draft the same year by the Houston Oilers, but decided to sign with the Bears. He played with the Bears from 1961 to 1966, then for Philadelphia in 1967 and 1968, and finally in Dallas from 1969-72. His first year in the NFL he had 1,076 receiving yards and 12 TD's, one of only five tight ends in league history to every have those kind of numbers in the same season, the others being Todd Christensen (Raiders 1983), Rob Gronkowski (Patriots 11 and 14), Jimmy Graham (Saints 2013) and Travis Kelce (Chiefs 2022). After his time in Chicago, his reputation for a blocking tight end had grown, as his pass catching days were more in Chicago. He won an NFL championship with the Bears in 1963 and a Super Bowl in Dallas in 1971.

When his playing career ended in Dallas in 1972, he was immediately hired as an Assistant Coach by Tom Landry to stay. He stayed in Dallas as an assistant head coach and special teams coordinator from 1973-81. During that time, Dallas won six division titles and made the playoffs eight total times. Then once Dallas was done, it was onto the head coaching job he became known for in Chicago. During that ten year stretch from 1982 to 1992 Ditka was 106-62 as the Bears coach. During that time, Chicago missed the playoffs three times. The rest of his tenure saw the Bears win one Superbowl and reach the NFC title game twice more. After his time in Chicago he had gone into retirement, before coming back to coach the Saints for three years from 1997 to 1999.

Both is playing and coaching careers were hall of fame worthy. He was officially inducted into the Hall in 1988 as a player, with 427 catches for 5,812 tards and 43 touchdowns, making him the first tight end ever to get induction in the Hall. Once his career on the field was totally done, coaching included, he went into broadcasting and became one of the most valuable talking heads to cover the sport ever. Having done and seen it all in the game, Ditka left a legacy that will forever be remembered. He left a mark on the game that will never be touched.