Aliquippa football coaches, current and former, honored Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka
ALIQUIPPA, Pa. —
Aliquippa football coaches, current and former, paid tribute to Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka on Friday, celebrating his enduring legacy in the community where his legendary football career started.
Ditka’s family announced his death on Friday. He was 86.
“This was the starting lineup, Aliquippa vs. Ambridge,” Don Yannessa said, looking at photographs and recalling the year 1956, when his friendship with Ditka began.
“Mike and I played ball together in high school, and I learned more from Mike about playing football than I ever would get from any coach. I’ll guarantee you that,” Yannessa said.
Both Yannessa and Ditka left Aliquippa as Division I college football players. Ditka played at Pitt and went on to the NFL and built a legendary career in coaching, while Yannessa, who played collegiately at New Mexico State, returned to coach the Quips for 17 years.
Yannessa said Ditka never forgot about the Aliquippa football team.
“Ditka was one of those guys that when he got a chance to come back home and give something back, he had no qualms about giving back, and he gave back generously, believe me,” Yannessa said. “He was getting rid of [money] like he was printing it in his basement. Just a generous guy.”
But it wasn’t the monetary donations, equipment, or new uniforms for which Ditka is remembered by Aliquippa head coach Michael Warfield and the Quips.
“Money comes and it goes. But for his legacy, what he’s accomplished, what he stands for, what he’s proud of, and one of the things he’s most proud of, I believe, just hearing him talk, is being from Aliquippa has made him who he was. And just giving that sense of direction is priceless,” Warfield said.
Ditka’s example continues to inspire Aliquippa athletes through a preserved door in the Quips’ locker room.
“I put the door up in the ceiling as something to look at and memorialize, that every legend went through that door at some point in time,” Warfield said.
Ahead of Aliquippa High School’s football game Friday night against Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, the Quips were prepared to honor Ditka with a moment of silence.
“He’ll always be a legend in Aliquippa,” Yannessa said.