Mike Ditka, Hall of Fame player and Bears coach, dies at 86
MSFT•Mike Ditka, the Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end and coach who led the Chicago Bears to their only Super Bowl triumph in 1986, has died at 86. His family announced his death; no cause was given.
1. Playing career
Ditka was a five-time Pro Bowl selection with the Bears from 1961 to 1966, then played for the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys. He was the first tight end in NFL history to record 1,000 receiving yards in a season and won Rookie of the Year.
2. Coaching career
After retiring following the 1972 season, Ditka joined Tom Landry’s coaching staff in Dallas, where he won a Super Bowl. He later returned to Chicago as head coach and led the Bears to their Super Bowl XX championship in 1986.
