CHICAGO — NFL icon Mike Ditka, the Hall of Fame tight end who coached the Chicago Bears to the Super Bowl XX title in 1986, has died at age 86. His family confirmed his passing in a statement, with no cause of death given, and remembered him as the heart of their family and the leader of Chicago's championship team.
"It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mike Ditka," the Ditka family said in a statement. "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 also scored the final touchdown in the Dallas Cowboys' 24-3 win against the Miami Dolphins to secure the franchise's first Super Bowl in 1972.
Ditka was the fifth overall pick of the 1961 draft when he joined the Bears as a player and spent six years with the franchise before spells with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys. He was the first tight end to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a landmark honor for the position.
Over a 12-year playing career that ended after the 1972 season, Ditka recorded 427 receptions for 5,812 yards and 43 touchdowns. He helped Dallas capture its first championship with that touchdown in the 24-3 victory over Miami, capping his career as a player before moving to the sideline.
Ditka became Chicago Bears head coach in 1982 and led the franchise to victory against the New England Patriots to win Super Bowl XX. The title in 1986 remains the defining achievement of his coaching tenure and cemented his legacy in Chicago as both a legendary player and championship coach.