Mike Ditka
NFL Legend Dead At 86
Published
October 9, 2026
8:21 AM PDT
|
Updated
October 9, 2026
8:58 AM PDT
Mike Ditka — one of the most legendary figures in NFL history — is dead.
The Pro Football Hall of Famer’s family announced his death Friday, saying in a statement … “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mike Ditka.”
The family continues … “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.”
They add … “Mike will be missed beyond measure and remembered forever.”
The cause of death is unclear.
Ditka battled health issues throughout his life, notably suffering a stroke in 2012 and a major heart attack in 2018.
He was an absolute legend on the gridiron — he played tight end at a Hall of Fame level from 1961 to 1972, and then he went on to have a brilliant career as an NFL head coach.
Ditka famously led the 1985 Chicago Bears to a Super Bowl victory … and was later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988.
Off the field, Ditka was just as iconic as he was on it. He starred in commercials — including a line of ads for the Viagra-like drug Levitra, and he was famously praised in a recurring “Saturday Night Live” sketch.
In the bit, George Wendt, Chris Farley, Mike Myers and Robert Smigel sat at a bar table and spoke fondly of the coach and “Da Bears.” Mike even appeared in the sketch at one point.
Ditka had four kids — three sons and one daughter.
He was 86.
RIP