Mike Ditka dead at 86. Chicago Bears legend won 1985 Super Bowl
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Chris BumbacaUpdated Oct. 9, 2026, 12:24 p.m. ETHear this story
Mike Ditka, a three-time Super Bowl champion and two-time NFL Coach of the Year, died on Friday, Oct. 9, his family announced. He was 86.
Though best known as coach of the 1985 champion Chicago Bears, Ditka also revolutionized the tight end position after being drafted out of the University of Pittsburgh in 1961.
The news of Ditka's death was shared on social media by Jarrett Payton, son of Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton, who played for Ditka in Chicago.
"It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mike Ditka," the family said in a statement shared by Payton. "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 revolutionized the tight end position
Ditka added an offensive element to the tight end position that previously almost exclusively focused on blocking. In his first season, he caught 58 passes for 1,076 yards and 12 touchdowns en route to earning Rookie of the Year honors. Ditka became the first tight end in league history to surpass 1,000 yards; his 1,076 yards stood as the most receiving yards by a rookie tight end until Brock Bowers of the Las Vegas Raiders broke that mark in 2024.
Ditka was named to the Pro Bowl in his first five seasons and was an All-Pro in 1963, when the Bears won the NFL championship, and 1964.
He was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 1967, though his time there was limited by injuries. He played his final four seasons in Dallas, scoring a touchdown for the Cowboys in Super Bowl 6.
Mike Ditka coaching career
He retired in 1973 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988, becoming the first tight end admitted into Canton.
Ditka became a special teams/wide receivers coach under the Cowboys' Tom Landry in 1973 and held the job for nine seasons, winning three NFC Championships and a Super Bowl.
"Iron Mike" then moved on to accept the Bears' head coaching job in 1982. Ditka led the 1985 Bears - considered one of the greatest NFL teams of all time - to victory in Super Bowl 20 after a 15-1 regular season.
He went 121-96 in 14 seasons between the Bears and New Orleans Saints, finishing his coaching career after the 1999 season. He was voted to the NFL's 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams and also was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1986.
Saints, Pro Football Hall of Fame react to Mike Ditka's death
"We extend our deepest condolences to the Ditka family, his loved ones, and the generations of fans who were inspired by his unforgettable presence in our sport," the New Orleans Saints said in a statement.
"Mike's life was defined by an unyielding work ethic, a fierce love for the game, and a relentless determination that helped reshape American football."
The Pro Football Hall of Fame also released a statement.
"'Iron Mike' brought an unrivaled level of toughness to an era already defined by physicality," said Jim Porter, the Hall of Fame's president and CEO.
Mike Ditka college
Born Oct. 18, 1939 in western Pennsylvania with the original surname "Dyczko" - his family changed it to "Ditka" for pronunciation ease - Ditka stayed home and played college football for the University of Pittsburgh Panthers.
As a coach, his gruff personality made him a Chicagoland hero, and his Bears sweaters became an iconic look. Ever the entertainer, Ditka also worked as a television analyst for CBS and ESPN during his post-coaching days. His appearance alongside Will Ferrell in the 2005 family comedy "Kicking & Screaming," in which he played himself, introduced him to a younger generation who came to appreciate him as "juice box boy" and provided a glimpse into his managerial style.
A symbol of toughness and always sporting a mustache in his coaching days, Ditka's style has influenced Halloween costumes for four decades now. But that all pales in comparison to his impact on the gridiron.
Contributing: Cale Clinton
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Ditka was a quintessential Type A blowhard personality, but sure changed the fortunes of the Bears for a decade.
Always liked Mike's grit on the playing field.
Before Madden, it was always Ditka...