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CHICAGO, UNITED STATES: Soldier Field is seen in the glasses of New Orleans Saints coach Mike Ditka as he smokes a cigar before the game against the Chicago Bears, August 22, in Chicago, IL. It was Ditka’s first appearance at Soldier Field since becoming the coach of the Chicago Bears. PHOTO BY AFP VINCENT LAFORET (Photo credit should read VINCENT LAFORET/AFP via Getty Images)
Chicago Bears legend and head coach Mike Ditka has passed away at the age of 86.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, Mike Ditka,” his family said in a statement. “While the world knows Mike as a Hall of Fame football player, legendary coach, and leader of the Chicago Bears’ Super Bowl XX championship team, we know him as the heart of our family. Mike will be missed immeasurably and remembered forever.”
Ditka is an icon, not just for the Bears, but for the entire NFL in how he transformed the tight end position and as a coach.
Not long after the news broke, Bears head coach Ben Johnson and Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell shared their thoughts on what Ditka means to the NFL community.
Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson Sent a Message to Mike Ditka
Speaking to reporters, Ben Johnson shared his thoughts on legendary coach, player, and man Mike Ditka.
“Coach Ditka is the gold standard in this place. I mean, he’s a legend here. As a player, as a coach, his impact is still felt to this day. As the head coach of the Bears, I feel humbled to be in the same chair that he was in. It’s a sad day to hear that he’s passed.”
Johnson also added that he will talk to Ditka as a team before playing the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
“He brought that attitude and coaching mindset to the whole team, and those teams certainly emulated what he was. It’s no wonder the success they had in those 11 years.”
Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell shares the Story About Ditka
When Lions head coach Dan Campbell heard that Mike Ditka had passed away, he shared a personal story about the legendary Bears coach and player as he went through the NFL integration process as a former tight end.
“Okay, so I got a great Ditka story. Someone I just loved growing up, …well, the Saints [where Ditka was the head coach at the time] wanted to meet me, especially Mike Ditka. right? Tight end, hell of a player, hell of a coach, the whole thing. And so … I walked in and there was a little light in the corner. And there is nothing there. There were no couches, the room was completely cleaned and there was a small table and the room was full of smoke. I mean you can hardly see him. You just see this picture in the corner of this little lamp and smoking everywhere and he has a big fat cigar and it was one of the best times of my life and the scariest times of my life sitting across from Mike Ditka. It’s amazing though man. Just, he asks about what you know, where you grew up, how you think, how you’re wired, the game, what you see, it’s amazing. And so the man, thoughts and prayers go out to his family. He is a legend.”
And this is just from two National Football League head coaches. Ditka’s strength and presence touched the lives of so many others, and it is sad to see a legend leave this world. Rest in peace.
Isaac Zuniga is a sports reporter covering the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Chicago Bears, Las Vegas Raiders, and Buffalo Bills. He has also covered major sporting events, including the 2026 Super Bowl, 2026 Winter Olympics, and 2026 World Cup. More about Isaac Zuniga