WASHINGTON — Mike Ditka, the Hall of Fame tight end who coached the Chicago Bears to their only Super Bowl championship, died Friday. He was 86.
A family spokesperson said Ditka died about 9 a.m. Friday surrounded by family and friends. Funeral arrangements had not been announced. In its statement, the family said the world knew him as a football legend, but to them he was the heart of the family.
Known as Iron Mike and Da Coach, Ditka changed how the tight end position was played. The Bears drafted him with the fifth overall pick in the 1961 draft out of the University of Pittsburgh, and he was named NFL Rookie of the Year after catching 56 passes for 1,076 yards and 12 touchdowns. He made the Pro Bowl in each of his first five seasons and helped the Bears win the 1963 NFL championship.
Bears founder George Halas traded Ditka in 1967 after a falling out, then hand-picked him to coach the team in 1982. In 11 seasons, Ditka compiled a 112-68 record and won six NFC Central titles, highlighted by the dominant 1985 team that won Super Bowl XX.
He still ranks first among Bears tight ends with 4,503 receiving yards. Tributes poured in Friday from former President Barack Obama, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the Bears, who said his role in bringing championships to Chicago created memories that will last for generations of fans.
