The Chicago Bears held their first home game at Soldier Field since the death of former coach Mike Ditka, marking the occasion Thursday night with a tribute to the franchise legend before kickoff.
Ditka, a Pro Football Hall of Famer as both a tight end and a head coach, died Oct. 9 at age 86. His passing was felt deeply across Chicago, a city that long embraced him as a symbol of its own toughness and no-nonsense attitude.
Ahead of the game, the Bears distributed fake mustaches to fans in the stands, a nod to Ditka’s instantly recognizable look. Many fans also arrived dressed in his signature combination of sweater and glasses. A moment of silence was observed before kickoff.
“Tonight, we remember Mike Ditka, a Hall of Fame tight end and coach of the 1985 Super Bowl-champion Chicago Bears. Tough, strong and fearless, ‘Iron Mike’ will always belong to the Bears,” the PA announcer told the crowd at Soldier Field.
A Hall of Fame career
Before coaching the Bears to victory in Super Bowl XX, Ditka won a championship as a player with the Dallas Cowboys. He began his NFL career after being drafted by the Bears in 1961, where he became the first modern receiving tight end and later the first tight end inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
He was named Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1961, earned five consecutive Pro Bowl selections from 1961 through 1965, and was a five-time All-Pro.
Following his playing career, Ditka returned to the Bears as head coach, leading the franchise through an era fans still point to as defining the team’s identity.
Tributes from family and team
Ditka’s family announced his death earlier this month in a statement: “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mike Ditka. 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.”
The Bears organization also released a statement following his death: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of legendary and treasured Chicago Bear and Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka. Mike’s impact on the Chicago Bears organization, over decades as a player, coach, and proud icon and ambassador for our organization, is immeasurable. His integral role in bringing world championships to our city and our franchise, both as a player and as our coach, established prominence and excellence at a world-class level, but also created a lifetime of cherished memories in the hearts and minds of Bears fans that will last for generations. We extend our love, prayers, and heartfelt condolences to the Ditka family, and join all Bears fans in deep sadness and reverence as we remember and honor Mike Ditka.”
