On Friday, legendary Chicago Bears player and coach Mike Ditka passed away at age 86 at his home, his family announced. Even with him gone, his unforgettable NFL career and the impact he made will never be forgotten.
During “FOX NFL Sunday,” Terry Bradshaw, Jay Glazer, Michael Strahan and Rob Gronkowski shared their favorite memories of Ditka. Bradshaw, who spent the most time around Ditka, made sure to highlight his legendary impact on the NFL.
“I love this guy,” Bradshaw said. “His attitude is what made the NFL what it is today. What people loved about the NFL [for decades] are guys like Mike Ditka. He’s a great person and a great player.”
Glazer focuses on Ditka’s immense generosity as something he will never forget. He recalled how Ditka would walk around town with a stack of $100 bills, handing out thousands of dollars to anyone he thought needed it.
“I learned a lot from him, but the biggest thing was his generosity,” Glazer said. “I know he’s a Hall of Fame player and Hall of Fame coach, but if there’s a generosity Hall of Fame, Coach Ditka has his own wing.”
Strahan also featured Ditka as a person and said he and fellow analyst Howie Long, who was not in the studio, shared memorable encounters with Ditka.
“He’s an incredible person,” Strahan said. “Everything you hear about him … he has that and more as a player and as a person off the field. I’m glad to have the opportunity [to meet him]and Howie would say he’s exactly what you thought he’d be.”
Gronkowski said Ditka set the standard for the tight end position as a four-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler. It’s the foundation that helped shape Gronkowski into one of the best tight ends of his time with the New England Patriots.
“Mike Ditka is really like my kind of guy,” Gronkowski said. “There’s no doubt about that. Unfortunately, I never got a chance to meet him and I really wish I could have. He’s the guy that transcended the tight end position.”
Gronkowski continued his praise for how Ditka has transformed the position. He nodded to some legendary Hall of Famers along the way, but ultimately credits Ditka with paving the way for every tight end that came after him.
“He kicks the door down for guys like Mark Bavaro to Tony Gonzalez to Antonio Gates to myself,” Gronkowski said. “No Gronk without Mike Ditka, until Travis Kelce. This guy is one of one.”