After legendary Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka died at the age of 86, tributes and honors poured in from fans, friends, former players, and admirers.
He was arguably the NFL's most recognizable — and imitated — personality during his time as Chicago's coach with his thick but neatly groomed mustache and sweater vest with "BEARS" emblazoned across the chest. The iconic look is still mimicked by fans at Bears games decades later. That along with his fiery, red-faced sideline tantrums inspired the popular "Da Bears" skit on "Saturday Night Live" during the 1980s.
After retiring as a coach, Ditka became a restaurateur, pitchman and TV personality, as well as a forceful advocate for improved medical and retirement benefits for former players.
As fans shopped iconic colors and styles at Chicago Sports on Michigan Avenue, they also remembered the iconic coach who was Mike Ditka.
"He left a mark on the whole city. A lot of people loved him, and his mustache. Yeah, he was a very wonderful guy," Bears fan Billy Johnson said.
Many Bears fans paid tribute to "Da Coach" at his namesake restaurant Ditka's in Oak Brook Friday.
"We were looking for some place for lunch and I heard it on the radio, so we decided to come pay tribute," said Jeff Demonaco, fan.
"Devastating! He's Da Coach! Very sad," said fan Dwayne Arneson.
"Not just a Chicago legend," said Dan Tausk. "I think people have to acknowledge what an icon he is for the NFL and what he did for the sport in general, so I think it extends beyond Chicago."
"Definitely a little sad, but what I like to think is he thinks we are on the right track and he's going to be watching us, cheering for us, so go Bears! Bear down," said Patrick Tata, fan.
Ditka was tough and gruff, the quintessential Chicago Bear. He did everything from order off the menu to knock defensive backs on their butts with a growl. His adopted hometown reveled in every minute.
Ron Rivera, a former Bears linebacker who was part of the Super Bowl XX champion team, said Ditka set high standards for the franchise, impacting how players competed, reflecting their home.
"I always looked at him as probably the ultimate Chicago Bear," Rivera said. "He was emblematic of the 'City of Broad Shoulders.' He was a tough rough guy, and that's what this city is. The city of Chicago is a tough city."
Rivera said Ditka mentored him as a player and later in his coaching career. One of the biggest lessons, Rivera said, was the importance of giving back.
"He really, truly cared about the community. He cared about the fans. He cared about the city. He really did, but he really cared about us, the players, and I think that's how he should be remembered," Rivera said.
Emery Moorehead, a tight end on the Super Bowl XX team, described Ditka as a "very emotional" person who brought his emotions to the team and the team, in turn, put those emotions into their play.
"You play yourself after the coach," he explained, and noted the irony that the Bears are set to the play the Green Bay Packers this weekend in Wisconsin, considering Ditka's long and fiery feud with the team.
"He had huge passion for the game," Moorehead said. "Everybody played at an emotional high every week because that's how coach felt."
Rivera said Ditka set the standard that today's Bears team is still in pursuit of reaching. He said head coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams could lead the team to reach that standard.
Father Jack Clair, of Misericordia Heart of Mercy – a non-profit providing care and support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities – said Ditka had a close relationship with the organization.
"Tough as could be, but just get around our residents and he became the most compassionate, kind guy you could ever meet," he said. "He would come around. He opened up his home to us when we wanted to do some fundraising to build some buildings, and he was very helpful to us that way. He knew a lot of the kids by name."
Ditka Hall at Misericordia is named in his honor, and is a lasting legacy of his impact beyond the competition on the field.
"There were two sides to Mike, and we were lucky to see both of those sides," Clair said.
He is still revered as "Da Coach" and ringmaster of the 1985 Bears, one of the most dominant and perhaps the zaniest Super Bowl-winning team in league history.
"Da Coach," as so many knew him, has loomed large in the Bears' legend and pop cultural presence for decades.
The Bears released a statement, writing, "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," they continued. "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," it concludes.
A memorial image is also being displayed on the screens outside Soldier Field.
The NFL posted a statement to their social media, writing, "The NFL is deeply saddened by the passing of Hall of Fame coach and tight end, Mike Ditka. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones."
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell remembered Ditka in a statement, writing, "Mike Ditka epitomized football over so many years. He brought intensity, authenticity, and an unmistakable personality to everything he did. As a Hall of Fame player, Super Bowl-winning coach with his beloved and iconic Bears, and as a broadcaster, Mike served as an ambassador for the game and inspired generations of fans. Through his work with the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund, Mike was a champion for taking care of those who helped build our game. We extend our deepest condolences to Diana and the Ditka family."
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker also posted about his death, writing, "Da Coach was not only an icon in Chicago, but the entire football world. Our thoughts are with Mike Ditka's family, friends, and Bears fans today. May his memory be a blessing."
Pro Football Hall of Fame President and CEO Jim Porter responded to Ditka's death in a statement, saying, "Mike brought competitiveness and a hard-nosed play style as he developed into both a fantastic blocker and someone who could punish would-be tacklers on his receptions...Mike's captivating personality and leadership qualities will be preserved and celebrated forever in Canton."
The Hall of Fame said the flag outside their museum will be flown at half staff in Ditka's honor.
Chicago's Willis Tower will light its antennas up in blue and orange Friday night in honor of Ditka, the Skydeck announced on Instagram.
Former CBS News Chicago sports anchor Ryan Baker knew Ditka well and interviewed him often.
"'Da Coach,' as we knew him, was like this invincible character that you thought would live forever," Baker said. "So it feels surreal to be talking about the passing of Mike Ditka, even though it was inevitable."
Baker admired Ditka's quick wit and one-liners, and recalled one time he interviewed "Iron Mike" after his stroke in which Ditka quipped, "I'm 'Rusty Mike' now."
"Iron Mike, one of one," Baker said.
"You'll never see his like again," said former CBS Sports anchor Rich King, who covered Ditka during the Bears' incredible Super Bowl run. "He was one of a kind."
Ditka was tough as nails, but had a hidden soft side too, King said. He recalled one instance in which Da Coach learned from a Bears staffer about a maintenance man who lived in Lake Forest in a run-down house and had a wife who was sick with cancer.
"He told the staffer, 'Look, I want you to get that house into great shape.' And the staffer did. The bill was enormous, but the guy handed [the check] to Mike Ditka, he signed it, no problem, thank you very much, I appreciate it," King said.
King said not only Ditka but the entire Bears 1985-1986 team were wonderful to cover and interview.
"Those guys were a walking story every day," he said. "Everybody spoke their mind. Those guys were wide open."
Sports writer Bob Vasilopoulos said Ditka made a huge impact on the sport of football and especially the city of Chicago.
"He tattooed his name on us," Vasilopoulos said.
The Green Bay Packers, with whom Ditka had a fierce rivalry and who the Bears were already slated to play this weekend, also released a statement about his death, writing, "One of the fiercest competitors in NFL history, Mike helped define the intensity and tradition of the Packers-Bears rivalry, the oldest in professional football. He embodied the toughness and passion that have made the rivalry one of the most storied in all of sports."
"While he was a formidable opponent, his contributions to the game and to a rivalry that has meant so much to both franchises will always be respected and remembered by the Green Bay Packers," the statement concludes.
Misercodia, Heart of Mercy, which Ditka worked with closely, also released a statement on his death, writing in part, "The Misericordia family is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mike Ditka, the legendary Chicago Bears coach and a close friend of Misericordia. His passing is a profound loss for the City of Chicago and the Misericordia community. Mike was a strong force around Misericordia and a dear friend to Sister Rosemary Connelly. He knew many of the residents by name and supported Misericordia in countless ways. His legacy will live on at Ditka Hall in the Marian Center on our campus."
