Favorite Bear

Super Bowl XX Coach, NFL Hall of Famer

Mike Ditka became the 21st Chicago Bear to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His inscription says it all: Mike Ditka, Enshrined in 1988 (Pittsburgh) TIGHT END 6-3, 225, 1961 - 1966 Chicago Bears, 1967 - 1968 Philadelphia Eagles, 1969 - 1972 Dallas Cowboys.

Consensus All-American, 1960...Bears' No. 1 pick, 1961...First tight end elected to Hall...Fast, rugged, outstanding blocker, great competitor...Big-play star of Bears' 1963 title team...Scored final touchdown in Cowboys' Super Bowl VI win...Rookie of the Year, 1961...All-NFL four years, in five straight Pro Bowls...Career record: 427 receptions, 5,812 yards, 43 TDs...Born October 18, 1939, in Carnegie Pennsylvania.

And of course, that does not even include his superb coaching record with over 11 years as head coach of the Chicago Bears. When Ditka took over coaching the Bears in '82 the team had only two winning seasons in the last 19 years. He managed to turn that around and led the Bears to a 10-6 record and an NFC Central Division Title and was named Coach of the Year.

Ditka compiled a regular-season record of 106 wins and 62 losses, with a 6-6 record in the playoffs. He guided the Bears to six NFC Central Division titles, in addition to three NFC title games. From 1985-88, he led the Bears to 52 wins--the most ever by an NFL team in any four-year span.

Mike leads by his code word ACE: Attitude, Character and Enthusiasm. He has never been accused of lacking enthusiasm and has always given a passionate 110% to the game. Ditka is also the only Bears coach to lead his club to five straight post-season appearances (1984-88). He received his second Coach of the Year honors following the 1988 season in which he lead the Bears to a 12-4 record despite his mid-season heart attack.

During his years as head coach of the Bears from 1982-92, the highlight occurred in 1985, as he led his team to a 15-1 regular-season and captured the NFL crown in Super Bowl XX, defeating the New England Patriots, 46-10. He was named Coach of the Year by Associated Press, The Sporting News and the Pro Football Writers Association for that stellar season. Also, Ditka is only one of two individuals to have won a Super Bowl as a player, assistant coach and head coach.

After a successful coaching career, Ditka took on a new challenge in television sportscasting. He joined NBC in 1993 as an analyst on NFL Live and as a color commentator for many other NBC broadcasts. Mike is a television veteran, having appeared in numerous commercials as well as guest spots on L.A. Law and Saturday Night Live.

Ditka is involved in a variety of charitable endeavors, including The Mike Ditka Foundation which raises money for Misericordia, a residential facility for developmentally disabled youths.

After a four-year breather from coaching, Ditka came back into football as head coach of the New Orleans Saints. Only time will tell how his efforts will best help rejuvenate the Saints franchise.

All in all, loyal fans of the Windy City still treasure the 17 years of magical moments when Iron Mike led the Bears as both player and coach.