Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson has honored Mike Ditka after the legendary figure died on Friday at the age of 86.
Ditka’s family confirmed that the iconic former Bears coach and player passed away at approximately 9 a.m., surrounded by relatives and close friends.
Speaking to reporters later that day ahead of Chicago’s heated Sunday showdown with the Green Bay Packers, Johnson described Ditka as the ultimate benchmark for the franchise. ‘As far as I’m concerned, Coach Ditka is the gold standard in terms of this place.
‘He is a legend here, both as a player and as a coach. The influence he had continues to be felt to this day.’
‘As the Bears’ head coach, I feel humbled to occupy the same position he once held. It is a sad day.’
Ditka guided Chicago to its only Super Bowl championship in 1985. His achievements also included the Bears’ 1963 NFL title as a player and a Super Bowl victory with the Dallas Cowboys in 1971.
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson has remembered Mike Ditka following the Hall of Famer’s death
Mike Ditka became a Chicago icon after coaching the Bears to their only Super Bowl title in 1985
Johnson said he never met Ditka personally, but understands the enormous role he played in Bears history as he aims to become only the second coach to lead Chicago to a Super Bowl triumph.
‘I don’t know if any head coach, apart from George Halas obviously, has matched that level of success,’ he said. ‘When you look at what he achieved over roughly 11 years, the winning seasons, his record and the fact that he won a Super Bowl, it is remarkable.’
‘His accomplishments as a head coach have been extremely difficult to reproduce since then, and that is before you even consider everything he achieved as a player.’
Chicago selected Ditka with the fifth overall pick in the 1961 NFL Draft. He immediately made an impact, winning Rookie of the Year after becoming the first tight end to record more than 1,000 receiving yards.
A powerful blocker who could also make plays as a receiver, Ditka helped redefine the tight end position and set the template for the versatile stars who have followed in the modern NFL.
Ditka became the first tight end inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He spent six seasons with the Bears, followed by two years with the Philadelphia Eagles and four with the Cowboys.
His legacy was recognized in both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame. During a 2013 ceremony, the Bears also announced that Ditka’s No. 89 would be the final jersey retired by the franchise.
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‘It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, Mike Ditka,’ his family said.
‘The world knew Mike as a Hall of Fame football player, a legendary coach and the leader of the Chicago Bears’ Super Bowl XX championship team. To us, he was the heart of our family. Mike will be missed beyond measure and remembered forever.’
Mike Ditka helped transform the tight end role during his playing career with Chicago, Philadelphia and Dallas
Ditka, shown in 2020, also coached the New Orleans Saints before departing after three seasons
Following his playing retirement in 1973, Ditka joined Tom Landry’s coaching staff as an assistant and remained with the Cowboys for eight seasons.
Ditka was hired to lead the Bears by his former coach and the team’s founder George Halas in 1982. Ditka led them to the playoffs seven times in 11 seasons and reached the NFC title game three times.
But it is Ditka’s 1985 Bears who are remembered for their sheer dominance, going 15-1 while ranking among the top teams in football on offense and defense before obliterating the New England Patriots, 46-10 in Super Bowl XX.
However, that Chicago team was also remembered as a divided locker room, with defensive stars giving their allegiance to defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan while the offense rallied around Ditka.
The schism was crystallized in the moments after the Super Bowl XX win in New Orleans, where both Ditka and Ryan were lifted onto players’ shoulders following the blowout victory.
Although the two were known to have an intense locker-room rivalry before Ryan became the Philadelphia Eagles head coach in 1986, Ditka later made amends with his former assistant, whom he credited for the Super Bowl win.
‘There’s no way that we win anything without that defense, without his coaching, and I think everybody understands that,’ Ditka told ESPN in 2016.
Ditka was eventually fired by the Bears after the 1992 season. Following a five-year absence, he returned to coaching with the New Orleans Saints, but failed to revive the franchise.
After a miserable 1999 season ended with a 3-13 record – Ditka’s worst as either a player or coach – he left the sidelines for good.
In a statement, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said: ‘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.’