Chicago Bears legend, NFL analyst, and pop culture icon Mike Ditka has passed away at the age of 86.
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Ditka's family announced his death earlier this morning (Oct.9).
"It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mike Ditka," his family said in a statement via ESPN. "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."
Ditka's family didn't reveal the cause of death of the beloved coach. However, ESPN points out that he suffered a minor stroke in 2012. He also had two heart attacks in the past. One of the heart attacks famously occurred in 1988 at the height of his coaching career with the Bears (the other, more recent one, was in 2018).
Of course, Ditka coached the Chicago Bears for a decade, becoming a household name in the process. His tenure helming the NFL team from 1982 to 1992 included a Super Bowl win in 1985.
Mike Ditka Becomes a SNL Staple
Known for his quick temper and cigar chomping, larger-than-life personality, Ditka found himself at the center of a long-running Saturday Night Live sketch dubbed "Bill Swerski's Super Fans." The sketch, which included heavy hitters like George Wendt, Joe Mantegna, Mike Myers, and Chris Farley (all sporting dark sunglasses and thick mustaches like Ditka), saw Chicago superfans ruminating over "Da Bears" at Ditka's sports bar... while enjoying beer and various meats (and suffering a heart attack or two in the process).
Ditka certainly didn't shy away from the attention.
According to IMDb, he popped on SNL twice and made appearances on shows like L.A. Law, 3rd Rock From the Sun, and Becker. He also appeared in films, including a fan-favorite turn in 2005's soccer comedy Kicking & Screaming, alongside Will Ferrell.
"I eat quitters for breakfast, and I spit out their bones," Ditka blurts at Ferrell's coach character and his soccer team of children.
Ditka's Huge Pop Culture Footprint Never Eclipsed His NFL Career
However, his fame never totally eclipsed all he accomplished in a prolific football career. Drafted in 1961, Ditka played as a tight end for the Bears after playing college ball at the University of Pittsburgh. He was honored with Rookie of the Year after managing to score 12 touchdowns and catch 58 passes.
After playing for the Bears for six years, Ditka joined the Philadelphia Eagles for two seasons before landing with the Dallas Cowboys. His four years spent in Dallas as a player included the team's Super Bowl VI win.
After his time coaching the Bears, Ditka found himself coaching the New Orleans Saints in 1997, staying there for three seasons.
Ditka later enjoyed another career as an NFL analyst for CBS's The NFL Today and various programs for ESPN.
In 1988, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a first for a tight end. In 2013, the Chicago Bears retired his player No. 89.
The team said it would be the final player number retired.
