Mike Ditka, Legendary Bears Coach, Dies at 86 in Chicago

Mike Ditka, the iconic former head coach of the Chicago Bears, died Friday at his home with his wife by his side. He was 86.

Ditka led the Bears to their Super Bowl XX championship in 1985, a team that featured what USA Today called "arguably the best defense of all time" alongside Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton.

Before his coaching career, Ditka played six seasons with the Bears, earning Rookie of the Year honors and becoming the first tight end to surpass 1,000 receiving yards in a season. He also played for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys, winning Super Bowl VI with the latter. Ditka was a two-time NFL champion, a five-time Pro Bowler and the first tight end inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988.

Ditka coached the Bears for 11 seasons, compiling a 106-62 record and the fifth-highest winning percentage in franchise history at .631. He later coached the New Orleans Saints for three seasons.

His family released a statement calling him "the heart of our family" and stating he would be "missed beyond measure and remembered forever."