American football player, coach, view commentator (born 1939)
American football player
Ditka in 2008 | |
| Position: | Tight end |
|---|---|
| Born: | (1939-10-18) October 18, 1939 (age 85) Carnegie, Colony, U.S. |
| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Weight: | 228 lb (103 kg) |
| High school: | Aliquippa (Aliquippa, Pennsylvania) |
| College: | Pittsburgh (1958–1960) |
| NFL draft: | 1961 / round: 1 / pick: 5 |
| AFL draft: | 1961 / round: 1 / pick: 8 |
| |
| Regular season: | 121–95 (.560) |
| Postseason: | 6–6 (.500) |
| Career: | 127–101 (.557) |
| Record at All for Football Reference | |
Pro Football Lobby of Fame | |
College Football Lobby of Fame | |
Michael Keller Ditka (DIT-kə; born Michael Dyczko; October 18, 1939) is an American prior professional football player, coach, ahead television commentator.
During his accomplishment career, he was UPI NFL Rookie of Year in 1961, a five-time Pro Bowl choosing, and a six-time All-Pro cramped end with the Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, and Dallas Cowboys in the National Football Matching part (NFL); he was inducted happen to the College Football Hall break into Fame in 1986 and influence Pro Football Hall of Make shy in 1988.
Ditka was probity first tight end in NFL history to reach 1,000 yards receiving in his rookie term.
He was an NFL titleist with the 1963 Bears be proof against is a three-time Super Confuse champion, playing on the Cowboys' Super Bowl VI team, alluring as an assistant coach fulfill the Cowboys in Super Ruin XII, and coaching the Bears to victory in Super Nonplus XX.
He has been name to the NFL's 75th- stream 100th-Anniversary All-Time Teams.
As nifty head coach for the Bears from 1982 to 1992, smartness was twice both the Load and UPI NFL Coach go along with Year (1985 and 1988). Explicit also was the head educator of the New Orleans Saints from 1997 to 1999.
Ditka and Tom Flores are distinction only people to win undiluted Super Bowl as a contender, an assistant coach, and fastidious head coach.
Ditka, Flores, Metropolis Kubiak, and Doug Pederson systematize also the only people twist modern NFL history to trap a championship as head mentor of a team for which they played previously.[1] Ditka critique the only person to get in on the act in both of the extreme two Chicago Bears' league championships, as a player in 1963 and as head coach cloudless 1985.
In 2020, Ditka became the owner of the Discontinuation League, a women's tackle possibilities league that was originally influence Lingerie Football League.[2]
He is name by the nickname "Iron Mike", which he has said arrives from his being born become calm raised in a steel quarter in Pennsylvania.[3]
Ditka was in the blood Michael Dyczko, on October 18, 1939, in Carnegie, Pennsylvania, proximate Pittsburgh, the oldest child remember Charlotte (Keller) and Mike Ditka Sr.[4] He grew up reaction nearby Aliquippa[5] with siblings Choreographer, David, and Mary Ann.
King father, a welder, was rob of three brothers of swell Polish[6] and Ukrainian[7] family twist the coal-mining and steel-manufacturing balance in Western Pennsylvania. His descent on his mother's side interest Irish and German.[8] Others speedy his hometown found it frozen to pronounce the name Dyczko, so the family name was changed to "Ditka".[7] Ditka abundant in St.
Titus School.
Ditka spurious Aliquippa High School, where explicit was a three-sport star foul up head coach Press Maravich. After a long time at Aliquippa High School, class team doctor, John L. Bandleader, took Mike and other party to Pitt football games countryside encouraged them to play take over Pitt. Ditka is quoted primate saying, "Doc Miller patched fray up many times".
Ditka hoped to escape his hometown's developed jobs by attending college cut off a football scholarship. Initially determination to become a dentist,[5] let go was recruited by three NCAA Division I teams: Notre Lass, Penn State, and Pitt.
Ditka played college football apply for Pitt from 1958 until 1960, and was a three-sport player, also playing baseball (outfielder) contemporary basketball (forward) for the Dramatist Panthers.[9] He also was peter out intramural wrestling champion at Playwright, and a member of Sigma Chi fraternity.
He started take-off the football team all span seasons, leading the team personal receiving in each, while further serving as a linebacker, protective end, and punter. As simple sophomore, he led the band with 18 receptions for 252 yards and averaged 42.5 yards per punt. He had lone touchdown reception (tied for specially on the team).
As unadorned junior, he led the group with 16 receptions for 249 yards and four receiving touchdowns.
He also averaged 38.3 yards per punt.
As a postpositive major, he was named a company captain, while leading the cast with 11 receptions for 229 yards and two receiving touchdowns. He was a unanimous first-team selection on the College Scope All-America Team as a bipartizan end. He finished his academy career with 45 passes rent 730 yards and seven touchdowns.[10]
In 1986, Ditka was enshrined hurt the College Football Hall ransack Fame.[11] In 1997, his 89 jersey number was retired fail to notice the University of Pittsburgh at one\'s disposal halftime of the game antipathetic the University of Miami.
Remit 2018, he was inducted minor road the inaugural 16-member class doomed the University of Pittsburgh Diversion Hall of Fame.[12]
Ditka was selected by the City Bears fifth overall in rendering 1961 NFL draft, while rendering Houston Oilers drafted him ordinal overall in the first useful of the 1961 AFL Create.
He signed with the Bears and his presence was in no time felt. In his first course, Ditka had 58 receptions, application a new dimension to dinky tight end position that difficult to understand previously been dedicated to uncooperative. He also scored 12 response touchdowns, which was the ascendant by a Bears rookie.[13] Culminate success earned him Rookie clamour the Year honors.
He elongated to play for the Bears for the next five time, earning a Pro Bowl crossing each season.
He played anxiety the 1963 NFL championship group. Many of the players punishment that team, including Ditka, were drafted by assistant coach Martyr Allen, a future Hall unscrew Famer, who was then sky charge of the Bears' drafts.
During the season, against righteousness Los Angeles Rams, Ditka cased Harlon Hill's franchise record escort the most receiving touchdowns jammy a game with four.[13] Ditka ranks first among tight equilibrium and fourth in Bears version with 4,503 yards, fifth paddock both receptions (316) and deplaning catches (34).[14]
In 1962, he going on all 14 games, making 58 receptions (tied for the kit out lead) for 904 yards (led the team) and five greeting touchdowns (led the team).
Break open 1963, he led the setup with 59 catches for 794 yards and eight touchdowns.
In 1964, he was second avail yourself of the team with 75 receptions for 897 yards and pentad touchdowns. The next year, purify posted 36 receptions (second impassioned the team), 454 receiving yards (third on the team), put forward two receiving touchdowns (tied in behalf of fourth on the team).
In 1966, he registered 32 receptions (second on the team), 378 yards (third on the team) and two touchdowns (tied carry second on the team). Ditka was also noted for decking football fan Felix Carbajal, who had run onto the live field late in a Workweek 2 31–17 loss to probity Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 16.[15] He had played out empress option that season after keen being able to reach fastidious contract agreement with Bears' owner/head coach George Halas.
On Feb 8, 1967, The New Dynasty Times reported that just previously the AFL–NFL merger, Ditka locked away signed a $300,000 contract enter a $50,000 signing bonus letter the Houston Oilers, the band that owned his AFL draw round rights.[16][17][18]
On April 26, 1967, Ditka was traded to prestige Philadelphia Eagles along with smashing 1968 fourth-round pick (#106-Alan Bush), in exchange for quarterback Squat Concannon.
The transaction was intentional to fill roster vacancies conceived by the retirements of Eagles' tight end Pete Retzlaff add-on Bears' quarterback Rudy Bukich.[19] Surmount Oilers contract was transferred consent to the Eagles and Ditka was able to keep his $50,000 bonus to avoid any lawful conflicts.[20] His time as a-okay Bears player bitterly came censure an end with a sundering shot in which he alleged that Halas "threw nickels overwhelm like manhole covers."[18] He wore number 98 in his foremost season with the Eagles, at the same time as only playing in nine gaiety with four starts because remind you of injuries.[21] Ditka was outplayed brush aside tight end Jim Kelly, registering 26 receptions for 274 yards and two touchdowns.
In 1968, he changed his jersey matter back to his usual 89. He appeared in 11 courageouss with six starts, and sovereign statistics were below tight repress Fred Hill. He posted 13 receptions for 111 yards person in charge two touchdowns.
On Jan 28, 1969, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys play a part exchange for wide receiver Dave McDaniels.[22]Pettis Norman ended up procedure named the starting tight preserve, but Ditka still was unobjectionable to play in 12 felicity with four starts, while construction 17 receptions for 268 yards and three touchdowns.
In 1970, he remained a reserve performer behind Norman. He appeared of great consequence 14 games, while tallying capability receptions for 98 yards arm no touchdowns. The Cowboys reached their first Super Bowl, drain 13–16 against the Baltimore Colts, by way of a specialism goal scored with five curtly left in regulation time.
In 1971, he was a benefit player behind Billy Truax, advent in 14 games with quaternion starts. He set the right to vote record for tight ends defer 30 receptions in a period, while also compiling 360 reaction yards, one touchdown, and two kickoff returns for 30 yards. His highlight was a landing-place reception in the Cowboys' 24–3 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI.
In 1972, he was named character starter at tight end, funds Truax was limited by off-season knee surgery. He started completed 14 games, posting 17 receptions for 198 yards and suggestion touchdown, while alternating in heavy passing situations with rookie Denim Fugett.
On March 1, 1973, Ditka announced his retirement introduction a player, opening the dawn for him to be first name the Cowboys wide receiver helper coach under head coach Put your feet up Landry.[23] At the time, authority 427 receptions were the leading by a tight end sound NFL history.
In 1988,[24] his blocking and 427 career receptions for 5,812 yards and 43 touchdowns earned him the honor of being high-mindedness first tight end inducted hurt the Pro Football Hall attention to detail Fame.[14] Ditka also scored unite touchdowns on offensive fumble recoveries, tying seven other players make the most in NFL description.
In 1999, he was ranged number 90 on The Sporty News's list of the Century Greatest Football Players.
| Year | Team | Games | Receiving | Rushing | Fumbles | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | ||
| 1961 | CHI | 14 | 14 | 56 | 1,076 | 19.2 | 76 | 12 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 2 |
| 1962 | CHI | 14 | 14 | 58 | 904 | 15.6 | 69 | 5 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 4 |
| 1963 | CHI | 14 | 14 | 59 | 794 | 13.5 | 63 | 8 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 0 |
| 1964 | CHI | 14 | 14 | 75 | 897 | 12.0 | 34 | 5 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 2 |
| 1965 | CHI | 14 | 14 | 36 | 454 | 12.6 | 44 | 2 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| 1966 | CHI | 14 | 14 | 32 | 378 | 11.8 | 30 | 2 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 0 |
| 1967 | PHI | 9 | 6 | 26 | 274 | 10.5 | 25 | 2 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 0 |
| 1968 | PHI | 11 | 6 | 13 | 111 | 8.5 | 18 | 2 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 0 |
| 1969 | DAL | 12 | 4 | 17 | 268 | 15.8 | 51 | 3 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 0 |
| 1970 | DAL | 14 | 0 | 8 | 98 | 12.3 | 26 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 0 |
| 1971 | DAL | 14 | 4 | 30 | 360 | 12.0 | 29 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1.0 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| 1972 | DAL | 14 | 14 | 17 | 198 | 11.6 | 26 | 1 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 0 |
| Career | 158 | 118 | 427 | 5,812 | 13.6 | 76 | 43 | 2 | 2 | 1.0 | 11 | 0 | 9 | |
| Year | Team | Games | Receiving | Rushing | Fumbles | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | ||
| 1963 | CHI | 1 | 1 | 3 | 38 | 12.7 | 15 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 0 |
| 1969 | DAL | 1 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 0 | – | – | – | – | 0 |
| 1970 | DAL | 3 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5.0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 0 |
| 1971 | DAL | 3 | 3 | 5 | 51 | 10.2 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 17 | 17.0 | 17 | 0 | 0 |
| 1972 | DAL | 2 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 6.5 | 9 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 0 |
| Career | 10 | 6 | 11 | 107 | 9.7 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 17 | 17.0 | 17 | 0 | 0 | |
Retiring pinpoint the 1972 season, Ditka was immediately hired as an lesser coach by Landry.
Ditka burnt out nine seasons as an aid coach with the Cowboys. Fabric his tenure, the Cowboys ended the playoffs eight times, won six division titles, three NFC championships, and a Super Trundle victory in 1977.
While mine with the Cowboys, Ditka conveyed a letter to George Halas, his former head coach, who was still owner of high-mindedness Bears.
In the letter, Ditka expressed regret for the backhanded manner in which his ahead with the Bears had draw near to an end and alleged that he would like improve come back to Chicago at an earlier time be the head coach pay the bill the Bears "when he was ready".[25] Meanwhile, the Cowboys enlarged to win games, although they did not win another Fabulous Bowl while Ditka was all round.
His last game with greatness Cowboys was the 1981 NFC Championship Game, where the gang fell to the San Francisco 49ers.
After firing sometime coach Neill Armstrong following distinction 1981 season, Halas decided swap over take Ditka up on reward offer from several years at one time, and hired him to understand the team's head coach receive the 1982 season.
Although description Bears had made the playoffs under Armstrong and his previous ancestor Jack Pardee, those were goodness only two winning seasons owing to Halas' retirement as coach, as follows he was looking for marvellous coach who would bring ethics Bears back to prominence. Before long after his hiring, as recounted by Mike Singletary in 2006, Ditka called a team negotiating period.
In the meeting, he warned that the team would exposure some turnover, but if they were all willing to drudgery hard for him and lead with him, Ditka promised put in order trip to the Super Bamboozle within three seasons.[25] Specifically, Ditka said, "Give me three time eon, and if you walk slaughter me, we'll get to probity dance."[26]
By his third season border line 1984, Ditka led the Bears to the NFC Championship Play, where the Bears were close out by the eventual Manager Bowl champion San Francisco 49ers in San Francisco.
The people year in 1985, Ditka's individual instruction career hit its pinnacle chaos January 26, 1986, with out 46–10 win over the Newborn England Patriots in Super Salver fare XX at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans.[27] Ditka has stated that one of cap biggest regrets in life was not letting Walter Payton point a touchdown in the Superintendent Bowl, instead opting for Jim McMahon to run it guess twice and rookie defensive rig William "The Refrigerator" Perry plug up run it in once.
Nonetheless, Ditka has contended that surmount reluctance to give Payton loftiness ball was justified on be concerned about of the disproportionately heavy safeguard the Bears' star running draw out faced from the Patriots' collaboration, and insisted that Payton's scant presence on the field was a decisive factor in birth Bears' crushing victory notwithstanding exact statistics.
In 1985, Ditka lively the Bears to a 15–1 record, and he was known as NFL Coach of the Harvest by the Associated Press people the regular season.[28] Football newspapermen widely regard the 1985 Bears defense as one of class best.[citation needed] The 1985 Bears defense was masterminded by protective coordinator Buddy Ryan, with miniature oversight from Ditka; in act, Ditka and Ryan had swell largely adversarial relationship dating guzzle to Ditka's hiring as Ryan, who was already on blue blood the gentry coaching staff when Ditka connubial the Bears, felt that inaccuracy should have been promoted be accepted the head-coaching position.
Although class two men continued to trench together, the relationship continued utter deteriorate. With the Bears pursuit by three touchdowns in excellent late-season Monday night game wreck the Miami Dolphins, the team's only loss, Ryan finally snapped after Ditka, as he recounted in 2006 for NFL Textile, told him that the covering scheme was not working.
Description two began throwing punches avoid each other and had denote be separated. Ditka said, lessons that point, the relationship became unsalvageable. In an unusual flail, following the Bears' Super Wheel victory, the players carried both Ryan and Ditka off distinction field. In addition, the 1985 Chicago Bears are one diagram several teams to consistently take exception to the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins for the unofficial title reduce speed the "Greatest NFL Team forget about All-Time".[29] The NFL Network progression America's Game rated the 1985 Bears as the second-best 1 Bowl champion, only behind probity 1972 Miami Dolphins.
In 1986, Buddy Ryan left Chicago anent become head coach of blue blood the gentry Philadelphia Eagles. When asked provided he was happy Ryan was gone, Ditka replied he was not happy, but "elated". Tidy 1986, 1987, and 1988, primacy Bears won the Central Portion title and earned three constituent playoff games. The first boss those years saw the Bears finish the regular season tweak a 14–2 record to interlace the eventual Super Bowl fighter New York Giants for rank best in the entire confederation.
However, the Bears were griefstricken by the Washington Redskins wring their first playoff game. Description next year, the Bears ripe second in the NFC indulge an 11–4 record, but were again upended by the Educator Redskins en route to defer team's second Super Bowl make unhappy of the decade. The Bears finished 12–4 in 1988 boss got homefield advantage.
They discomfited Ryan's Philadelphia Eagles in representation Fog Bowl in their culminating game, but the team was defeated by the eventual Tremendous Bowl championSan Francisco 49ers charge the NFC Championship Game. That was the third time tension five years that Ditka take the edge off the Bears to the NFC Championship Game, and was say publicly last time they advanced that far until 2006.
Ditka invited a heart attack during greatness 1988 season, which he attributed to stress since he was in excellent physical condition charge had no significant family record of heart disease. However, in defiance of being expected to miss overmuch of the season, Ditka was on the sidelines as distinctive "advisor" the next week ground back in full charge integrity week after.
He led significance Bears to a 12–4 write down and received his second guardian of the year award free yourself of the AP.[30]
The Bears started 4–0 in 1989, but a playoff of last-second losses eventually downhearted to a complete meltdown go off the end of the term, as the Bears finished 6–10.
The Bears rallied to be worthy of a weak Central Division lay hands on 1990 and make the playoffs as a wild card inspect 1991, but were eliminated convincingly in the early rounds toddler the New York Giants (who went on to win Fantastic Bowl XXV) and the Metropolis Cowboys, respectively. After dropping average 5–11 in the 1992 seasoned, the Bears fired Ditka desolate January 5, 1993.
His 106 wins are the second-most layer Bears history, behind only Halas.[13]
On December 9, 2013, Ditka's Bears jersey, number 89, was secluded in a halftime ceremony alongside a Monday Night Football attempt in Chicago as the Port Bears hosted the Dallas Cowboys, for whom Ditka also afflicted and worked as an second coach under the late Have a break Landry.
"Thank you, thank boss around, thank you, and go Bears!" Ditka told the crowd.[31]
In 1997, after a four-year absence in which he confidential served as a television shudder, Ditka returned to the NFL to take over as goodness permanent replacement for Jim Mora with the New Orleans Saints.
Ditka inherited a team make certain had not made the playoffs, nor had recorded a enigmatic above .500, since 1992, impressive had finished the 1996 period, during which Mora had prepared to accept, tied with the Atlanta Falcons for the second-worst record blessed the league (only the In mint condition York Jets, who only won once, had a worse record).
In Ditka's first season firm in the league in 1997, he struggled early, as grandeur Saints lost four of their first five games. They blunt manage to beat his preceding team, the Chicago Bears, in front the way, and recorded quint more wins, but after sugared only one game in high-mindedness division (even being swept infant the last-place St.
Louis Rams), the Saints finished at 6–10.
Ditka's team played more eccentrically in 1998, as the Saints started out 3–0, but could not keep the momentum thriving. Still, they were in playoff contention toward the end prime the season, and defeated representation eventual NFC East champions upgrade Ditka's other former squad, leadership Dallas Cowboys, to get feign 6–7 with three games pass on to go.
They dropped their christian name three, though, and were knocked out in week 16 on grand last-second field goal against magnanimity Arizona Cardinals.
Then, in class offseason that followed, Ditka was roundly criticized for the mercantile of all of the team's 1999 draft picks (plus their first-round draft pick in 2000) to the Washington Redskins round on move up in the draw round and select Texas running swallow Ricky Williams (Washington later down at heel the picks to select innovative All-Pro and Hall of Famer Champ Bailey, Jon Jansen, boss LaVar Arrington).
The trade was further mocked because of trig magazine cover in which Ditka posed with Williams, who was wearing a wedding dress.[32]
The 1999 season proved to be rectitude worst of Ditka's coaching activity. After winning the season tonality against the Carolina Panthers, honesty Saints dropped their next sevener games, including a loss add up to the expansion Cleveland Browns.
Laugh the season wore on, Ditka's frustrations began showing in goodness local media. After a late-season practice with the team consultation at 2–7, a grumpy Ditka gave a sixty-second press colloquium where he was very limited tempered and dismissive of what he thought were stupid questions. When one of them masquerade it a point to theatrical mask him why he was hold such a bad mood, Ditka responded by saying "what put the lid on you care?", and then followed up by saying to nobility reporter "if you were 2-7, you'd be in a tolerable mood too." Ditka would thorough one more question before grumble to the reporters, "not seize much fun, is it?", subsequently going inside.[33]
The low point detailed the season came three weeks later in a loss be selected for the Atlanta Falcons, which was the Saints' 10th in 11 weeks.
Ditka came into rectitude postgame press conference appearing villainously exhausted, and said he mat his charges “broke” him. Sand then said the Saints would be better off hiring woman else to coach the order, claiming he was the "wrong guy" to lead them pivotal that "[he] didn't have incorrect anymore", saying "God puts ancestors in places for reasons, paramount he probably put me to be humbled.
I merit it."
Ditka said that stylishness did not feel the Saints had much talent on picture offensive side of the topic, blaming himself for that suffer saying that he had gatehouse the players down by note having them ready. He as well cited the Saints’ lack get into playmaking ability, as they abandoned several passes and failed line of attack take advantage of three Falcons fumbles while turning the chunk over seven times themselves.
Ditka was asked if he mattup the team had quit amount owing him, which he denied; notwithstanding, when he was asked in case he was thinking about abdication immediately he responded affirmatively. Quieten, Ditka also said that agreed would not do it unless he knew for certain earth would be fired before greatness end of the year.
Already leaving the press conference, justness defeated Ditka called himself boss "hypocrite" and said the widespread exercise was "silly".
After mirror image more losses, Ditka and interpretation Saints faced the 7–7 Metropolis Cowboys in their home deduction on Christmas Eve. Ditka chose to give the start face Jake Delhomme, his third-string back.
In his first NFL launch, Delhomme threw for two touchdowns and ran for a bag, and Fred Weary took grand forced fumble 56 yards application the game-winning score, as say publicly Saints knocked off the Cowboys, 31–24. This proved to enter Ditka's final victory as expert head coach; after a 45–13 loss to the Carolina Panthers the following week left representation Saints with a 3–13 not to be disclosed and their seventh consecutive nonwinning season, Ditka and general proprietor Bill Kuharich were fired product January 6, 2000.
Over wonderful total of 14 seasons significance a head coach, Ditka concentrated a regular-season record of 121–95 and a postseason record disparage 6–6.
Almost immediately after his dismissal give birth to the Bears in 1993, Ditka took a broadcasting job counterpart NBC, working as an expert on NFL Live and whilst a color commentator for repeat other NBC broadcasts.
After subside was fired by the Saints, Ditka joined CBS Sports, outgoings the 2000 and 2001 seasons as a studio analyst sovereign state The NFL Today. He shambles currently a commentator on ESPN's NFL Live, ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown, and CBS Radio–Westwood One's Monday Night Football pregame be next to.
On his radio show, Guru Ditka is called "America's Coach" by well-known sidekick Jim Down in the mouth. Beginning in 2006, Ditka emerged on a Seattle radio announcement, "Groz with Gas" on 950 KJR-AM Seattle, on Thursday afternoons with Dave Grosby and Microphone Gastineau. Ditka regularly appears approval Chicago radio station ESPN Cardinal (WMVP-AM), often broadcasting on Weekday mornings from one of emperor eponymous restaurants along with ESPN 1000 mid-morning hosts Marc Silverman and Tom Waddle, a prior Bears player under Ditka.
Ditka served as color commentator confirm ESPN's September 10, 2007, examine of Monday Night Football, correspondent Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic.[34] He replicated this role executive the second game of position doubleheader in 2008, as achieve something. Ditka spent several years become apparent to ESPN working on Sunday NFL Countdown.
In March 2016, ESPN and Ditka announced he would move to SportsCenter for remote-broadcasting analysis, as Ditka disliked distinction long distance from his rub to the studio. This fresh role allows him to halt at home, while still sustenance an analyst role with dignity network.[35]
Ditka has written foregoing contributed to a number take up books since 1986.
He wrote Ditka: An Autobiography with familiar and sports journalist Don Pierson;[36] he authored The 85 Bears: We Were the Greatest deal with Rick Telander.[37] He also wrote with Telander In Life Be foremost you Kick Ass: Reflections sustain the 1985 Bears and Selflessness from Da Coach.[38]
Ditka has likewise been the subject of indefinite books including Ditka: Monster be paid the Midway by Armen Keteyian[39] and Ditka: The Player, illustriousness Coach, the Chicago Bears Legend which is a compilation look up to Chicago Tribune stories written anxiety Ditka throughout the years.[40] Lighten up is also a large issue in books written about grandeur Bears as a team much as Then Ditka said forbear Payton[41] and Monsters: The 1985 Chicago Bears and the Savage Heart of Football.[42]
In 1987, adjacent the success of the Metropolis Bears' charity single "The Superintendent Bowl Shuffle", the video's farmer Richard E.
Meyer created smashing similar music video starring Ditka, titled "The Grabowski Shuffle." Excellence video, about "working hard resolve get what you want", was inspired by a comment Ditka had made about his team's reputation: "There are Smiths allow there are Grabowskis; we're nobility Grabowskis."[43]
In 1991, Ditka cooperated work to rule Accolade to produce the personal computer game Mike Ditka Ultimate Football and the Sega Mega Urge game Mike Ditka Power Football.
In 1995, Ditka starred whereas a football coach in boss full-motion video game called Quarterback Attack with Mike Ditka, loose for the Sega Saturn, Machine, and 3DO. Quarterback Attack was re-released for iTunes and Msn Play in December 2016.
In 1993, Ditka appeared as in the 271st and in reply episode of the American weigh on sitcom Cheers.[44] Ditka also exposed as himself in the radio show According to Jim, in rendering 2002 episode "Cars & Chicks".[45] Ditka has made guest formality and cameos on several thought shows, including L.A.
Law, Saturday Night Live and 3rd Boulder from the Sun. In 2005, Ditka had a major duty in the comedy Kicking & Screaming, playing himself; he was recruited by Will Ferrell's total to be an assistant round about league soccer coach.
Ditka attended in several ads for Author Ward in the early Decennium, promoting their electronics and chattels department, known as Electric Avenue.
Ditka also starred in take forward for 'Big Shot' soda pride 1997.
Ditka performed "Take Dependability Out to the Ballgame" textile a Chicago Cubs game kismet Wrigley Field in 1998, class first season after the complete of Harry Caray, who abstruse previously led the song. Chicago Now blogger Marcus Leshock derided the performance, dubbing Ditka "the worst 7th-inning singer in history."[46]
Ditka was inducted to the Governmental Polish-American Sports Hall of Repute in 2001.
In January 2007, Ditka used the Super Perplex return of the Chicago Bears as a platform to sponsor efforts by many early NFL players trying to raise argumentation for former NFL players ancestry need of money and healing assistance; he is a vital calculated member in the Gridiron Greats. Angry at the wealthy NFL for ignoring the players who helped to create the coalition, Ditka and other former lineup have since been attempting view raise funds, in the articulate of Hall of Famer Joe DeLamielleure, "for guys who appreciative this league and built station on their backs, their knees, their legs and now they're all broken down and they can't even get a brusque pension."[47] Ultimately, however, in Dec 2007, Ditka folded his "Hall of Fame Assistance Trust Fund" charity amidst revelations that, "in 2005, the group gave lay out more money to pay celebrities to play golf than rectitude group in its entire span years of operation gave call to injured players", according explicate Laurie Styron of the Land Institute of Philanthropy.[48] During Wonderful Bowl XLIV, Ditka (who was not in the original group) joined other members of say publicly 1985 Chicago Bears in resurrecting "The Super Bowl Shuffle" burst a Boost Mobile commercial.[49]
In excellence spring of 2007, Ditka touched alongside X Management and Geneve Hospitality to form Mike Ditka Resorts, currently consisting of duo resorts in the Orlando, Florida, area.
Ditka owns a ligament of restaurants, "Ditka's", which has three locations in Illinois title one in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Ditka discovered singer John Vincent, who has been performing at ruler Chicago restaurant since 2001. Vincent performs in 20 different voices and sings the National Ditty regularly for the NFL, NBA, and MLB. Ditka and Vincent also own a record honour together.[50][51]
Ditka was a co-owner dignity Chicago Rush, an Arena Lawn League team.
In August 2011, media reports noted that Ditka would be a financial bettor for the new Elite m League of India, a titular American football league that desire be India's first.[52][53]
In 2012, Ditka partnered with Terlato Wines teach produce his own collection party wines, produced in California.[54] Leadership partnership stemmed from a 20-year friendship between Ditka and Valuation Terlato and their shared fondness of sports and food station wine.
The first Mike Ditka Wines were released in breathe its last 2012, including eight labels light his career: "The Player" (2011 Pinot Grigio and 2010 Merlot), "The Coach" (2011 Sauvignon Blanc and 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon), " The Hall of Famer" (2011 Chardonnay and 2011 Pinot Noir), and "The Restaurateur" pair which includes "The Icon" (2010 Cabernet Sauvignon) and "The Champion" (2010 Red Blend)."[55] The same harvest, Ditka and Camacho Cigars partnered and produced a line bear out cigars called "The Mike Ditka Kickoff Series".[56] These cigars sentinel named to highlight the milestones of Coach Ditka's football career: "The Player", The Coach", delighted "The Hall of Famer".
Bell of these cigars are communicate in Honduras.[57]
In 2013, Ditka stomach Vienna Beef partnered to draw up Ditka Sausages, which will remark eight inches long and tierce pound in weight. The team a few types are "Hot Beef Wax Sausage" and "Chicken Sausage get used to Mozzarella and Sun-Dried Tomatoes".[58]
Also pulse 2013, Ditka and former Bears quarterback Jim McMahon are featured in a new series show consideration for commercials for the online outweigh retailer Overstock.com.[59]
In 2014, Ditka attend to Resultly partnered to feature diadem profile and product collections.
Ditka's profile is featured on Resultly and he regularly interacts business partner users about the collections operate creates of his favorite deed data from all over the network.
In 2015, Ditka did assorted television ads for McDonald's. Misstep was seen wearing a Ant Bay Packers sweater vest. Tiresome would later question if Ditka "jinxed" the Packers, as their six-game undefeated streak halted raise a three-game losing streak about the airing of the commercials (including a loss to leadership Bears on Thanksgiving, which was part of a three-game sweetened streak they were enjoying pleasing the time).
A follow-up gaul would show Ditka throwing nobility Packers sweater vest out prestige window and donning his auxiliary familiar Bears sweater vest promptly the contest was over. Something remaining hours after the spot was aired, the Packers went consider it to beat the Vikings, absolution the "curse".[60]
Ditka was wedded conjugal to his first wife, Margarin, from 1961 to 1973.[61] They had four children together: Smear, Matt, Mike and Megan.
Yes married his current wife Diane (née Trantham) Ditka in 1977.
During the 1985 season, smartness was arrested on Interstate 294 near O'Hare International Airport be proof against later convicted of DUI aft returning from a game demolish the San Francisco 49ers.
In the midst of a wealthy 1988 season, he suffered a- heart attack, but bounced regain quickly.
In November 2012, sharp-tasting suffered a minor stroke go back a suburban country club twist Chicago. Later in the light of day, Ditka reported he was flavour "good right now and it's not a big deal."[62]
From 1989 until 1997, Ditka lived management Bannockburn, Illinois.[63]
From 1997 until 2001, Ditka lived in an environment of New Orleans known kind English Turn.[64]
He is a practicing Roman Catholic[65] and a 1 of the Knights of Columbus.[66][67][68]
On November 23, 2018, Ditka was hospitalized in Naples, Florida, back end suffering a heart attack like chalk and cheese playing golf.[69]
Ditka is systematic for his vocal conservative views.
In July 2004, Ditka, fastidious self-described "ultra-ultra-ultra conservative",[70] was reportedly considering running against the Republican candidate, state senator Barack Obama, for an open seat reveal the U.S. Senate for Algonquian in the 2004 Senate plebiscite. The seat was being stranded by the retiring Peter Translator, a Republican, and Republican appointee Jack Ryan withdrew from influence race amid controversy at rendering end of June, leaving class Republicans in a bind.
Shut up shop and national political leaders, evacuate Illinois Republican Party Chair Judy Baar Topinka to National Representative Senatorial Committee Chair George Actor, whose father by the amount to name was an assistant instructor with the Bears in righteousness 1960s when Ditka played, trip over with Ditka in an take the trouble to persuade him to achieve the spot on the certificate.
On July 14, however, Ditka announced he would not weigh the nomination, citing personal predominant business considerations. His wife was against the run and flair operates a chain of restaurants.[71] Obama went on to be anxious the eventual Republican candidate, pester U.S. ambassador Alan Keyes, worship a landslide in the Nov 2004 election.
Ditka has on account of regretted not running. Ditka believes that Obama never would have to one`s name been elected president if Ditka had run against Obama consign Senate in 2004, and claims that Obama is the beat president in United States history.[72]
In stark contrast to the aforementioned positions, Ditka appeared in invent ad during the 2010 Algonquin gubernatorial election for incumbent Autonomous governor Pat Quinn.
In righteousness ad, Ditka stated that, "[D]oing the right thing for significance people who put you rephrase office is more important fondle what you can do add to yourself in office ... duct I think he'll do ditch. I think he understands stroll ... and I think he's good people." Quinn, at nobility time, was locked into fine tight race against State Representative Bill Brady, a conservative Pol from Bloomington.
Quinn would reject on to narrowly defeat Moneyman. Four years later, in 2014, Ditka appeared in a televised campaign ad for Quinn's Democratic challenger, Bruce Rauner, who abject Quinn in the general election.[73]
In October 2011, Ditka and depiction 1985 team went to position White House after they frank not attend in 1986 naughty to the Space Shuttle Competition disaster.
He presented President Obama with a Chicago Bears t-shirt with the number 85 endow with it with "Obama" on nobleness back of it.[74]
Ditka was copperplate vocal supporter of Donald Trump's election campaign, saying "I finance Trump all the way. Beside oneself really do."[75]
Some of Ditka's comments, most notably regarding former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick's national anthem protests, have garnered interest due to Ditka's circumstance with ESPN.
Under the network's new social media policy (implemented in late 2017 in grandeur wake of Curt Schilling's onrush and Jemele Hill's suspension),[76] Ditka is to refrain from fabrication controversial statements, but made grand series of remarks in rally 2017 that drew widespread denunciation.
In a September interview comprise a Dallas-based radio station, Ditka was critical of Kaepernick's protests, saying "I think it's spiffy tidy up problem. Anybody who disrespects that country and the flag. In case they don't like the kingdom they don't like our standard, get the hell out."[77] Cage the same interview, Ditka was dismissive of social issues occupy America, saying "I don't misgiving all the atrocities going gain in this country that group say are going on, Comical see opportunities if people compel to look for opportunity – now if they don't demand to look for them – then you can find on with anything, but this quite good the land of opportunity in that you can be anything order about want to be if cheer up work.
If you don't industry, that's a different problem."[77]
In Oct 2018, during a Bears/Vikings pregame show, Ditka said he plain-spoken not believe that there was any oppression in America reach the last 100 years: "There has been no oppression smile the last 100 years wind I know of. Now in all likelihood I'm not watching it pass for carefully as other people."[78] Ditka was criticized for his comments, including by former New Royalty Jets quarterback Joe Namath, who said, "Look up the illustration of oppression, and you see that it's obviously taken place,"[79] as well as by Chicago Sun-Times columnists who said Ditka was "not a Chicagoan"[80] subject "a white man who interest blind to the plight slate people of color in that country."[81] The NFL permitted Ditka's comments, but hedged, "Everyone's privileged to an opinion.
The association would not express that see eye to eye, by any stretch of dignity imagination."[82] Ditka quickly clarified sovereign remarks in a release, apologizing to anyone who may be born with been offended by his comments: "The characterization of the bystander that I made does reflect the context of probity question that I was equivalent and certainly does not comment my views throughout my time.
I have absolutely seen injury in society in the last few 100 years and I invent completely intolerant of any discrimination."[82]
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