Updated 4m ago · Sports
Mike Ditka, Chicago Bears Legend and Hall of Famer, Dies at 86
Mike Ditka, who won NFL titles as a Chicago Bears player and head coach, has died at 86. His family announced the death Friday.
- 1985: Ditka coached the Bears to their only Super Bowl title.
- 46-10 was the Bears' Super Bowl XX win over New England.
- 1988: He became the first tight end inducted into the Pro Football Hall.
- Two people in NFL history won titles as player, assistant and head coach. Ditka is one.
Why it matters: Ditka helped change how NFL offenses used tight ends. As coach, he became one of Chicago's most recognizable sports figures.
- After coaching, he pushed for better medical and retirement benefits for former players.
- The Bears said in 2013 his No. 89 will be the last jersey they retire.
How 52 sources split on this story
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52 sources · 90 articles · 38% Center coverage
Center coverage, 20 sources: The center casts Ditka as the archetypal Chicago Bear, tracing his career from player to coach to TV personality.
CTV News6hMike Ditka, the quintessential Chicago Bear and a Pro Football Hall of Famer, dies at 86Heavy3hSaints HC Kellen Moore Shares Tribute to Mike DitkaUSA Today3hMike Ditka's cause of death unclear after extended health battleChicago Tribune6hPhotos: Remembering Chicago Bears legend Mike DitkaESPN2hLegendary coach, Hall of Fame TE Mike Ditka dies at age 86 - ESPNNewsweek4hBears HC Ben Johnson Pays Heartfelt Tribute to Mike DitkaPennLive6hNFL reaction to Mike Ditka dead at 86 pours inReuters6hMike Ditka, Hall of Fame player and Bears coach, dies at 86TMZ4hBrett Favre, Ted Cruz, Dan Campbell Remember Late NFL legend Mike Ditkaabc27 (WHTM)7hMike Ditka, legendary former Chicago Bears head coach, dies at 86Associated Press7hMike Ditka, the quintessential Chicago Bear, dies at 86Deadline6hMike Ditka Dies: NFL Icon & Analyst Who Inspired Classic ‘SNL’ Skit Was 86
Left coverage, 13 sources: The left frames Ditka as the defining figure of Chicago football, centered on the 1985 Bears and his gruff persona.
The Guardian7hMike Ditka, legendary Chicago Bears head coach, dies at 86CNN7hMike Ditka, the quintessential Chicago Bear, dies at 86Cleveland.com4hMike Ditka’s death revives memories of an unforgettable NFL draft gambleThe Independent6hMike Ditka: NFL icon who won the Super Bowl as a player and coach diesABC News7hMike Ditka, legendary NFL player and coach, dies at 86Boston.com6hMike Ditka, the quintessential Chicago Bear, dies at 86Hollywood Reporter7hMike Ditka, No-Nonsense Chicago Bears Legend and TV Analyst, Dies at 86Los Angeles Times6hMike Ditka, coach of 1985 Chicago Bears and first HOF tight end, diesMediaite7hLegendary Chicago Bears Coach Mike Ditka Dead at 86NBC News7hMike Ditka, legendary Chicago Bears coach, dies at 86The Boston Globe7hChicago Bears legend Mike Ditka dead at 86The New York Times7hMike Ditka, Fiery Coach of the Chicago Bears, Has Died
Right coverage, 19 sources: The right centers his Hall of Fame playing career and his Super Bowl win as a coach.
NTD5hMike Ditka, Hall of Fame Bears Player and Super Bowl-Winning Coach, Dies at 86Breitbart News4hRemembering 'Iron Mike' Ditka's Greatest Moments in Sports and in LifeNew York Post5hSon of Bears legend breaks down live on air announcing Mike Ditka's death in touching momentThe Epoch Times23hChicago Bears Icon Mike Ditka Dies at 86The Western Journal11hWatch: Walter Payton's Son Gets Emotional as He Learns of Mike Ditka's Death During Live BroadcastCitizen Free Press7hNFL (chicago bears) legend Mike Dikta passes away at 86.Daily Mail7hIconic Chicago Bears coach, player and Super Bowl champion Mike Ditka dies aged 86Fox News7hLegendary Bears head coach Mike Ditka dead at 86Just the News23hLegendary NFL coach Mike Ditka dies at 86Newsmax7hMike Ditka, the Quintessential Chicago Bear, Dies at 86RedState4hWe Lost a Legend: Mike Ditka, Super Bowl-Winning Coach of Da Bears, Gone at 86The Blaze5hMike Ditka, iconic Chicago Bears coach, passes away at 86: 'Chicago won't be the same'
What’s next: No cause of death has been announced.
- What caused Ditka's death?
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