Hall-of-Famer and legendary coach Mike Ditka died at age 86, according to his family. Ditka died just over a week shy of what would have been his 87th birthday on October 18. “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mike Ditka,” his family said in a statement. “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. “Mike will be missed beyond measure and remembered forever.”
As of now, Mike Ditka's cause of death has not been disclosed by his family. No official information about the circumstances of his death has been released. Nicknamed "Iron Mike" for his toughness, Mike Ditka rose from a standout athlete in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, to become a legendary NFL player and coach. Ditka suffered a pair of heart attacks, including one in 1988 while he was Bears coach, as well as a minor stroke in 2012.
Over the past several years, Mike Ditka faced multiple several health challenges throughout his life, including heart problems, a minor stroke, and multiple hip surgeries. But these health setbacks did not deter him and he continued to make public appearances and enjoy activities such as golf.
Since Mike Ditka played football for several years, injuries and arthritis took a severe impact on his health. In 1965, a foot injury affected his walking, and in 1984, he underwent right hip replacement surgery followed by a left hip replacement in 1992. Later reports also mentioned additional hip procedures. He was seen walking with a noticeable limp in his later years.
Ditka, while coaching the New Orleans Saints, underwent cardioversion, a process that uses controlled electrical shocks to restore a normal heart rhythm. This happened in 1999. In another major health scare, he experienced symptoms involving his hand and speech while playing cards at a country club in the Chicago area in 2012. He was hospitalized briefly and recovered quickly.
On November 16, 2012, Ditka experienced symptoms involving his hand and speech while playing cards at a country club in the Chicago area. He was hospitalized briefly and later described the episode as “not a big deal.” He recovered quickly and returned to his regular activities.
In 2018, Mike Ditka was hospitalized in Florida earlier this week after suffering a heart attack, according to reports. Ditka’s medical problem was a “heart-related ailment.” The Chicago-Sun Times reported that he had suffered a heart attack in 1988 while coach of the Bears and returned to work just 11 days later.
Ditka, a native of Pennsylvania, played college football at the University of Pittsburgh, then played in the NFL for the Bears, Eagles and Cowboys before launching his coaching career. Since retiring from coaching, Ditka has been a broadcaster and has also worked as a TV pitchman.
Ditka shot to fame after leading the 1985 Bears to the franchise’s only Super Bowl title. The team boasted arguably the greatest defense in NFL history.
As a player, Ditka was a two-time NFL champion, a two-time First-Team All-Pro, a three-time Second-Team All-Pro and a five-time Pro Bowler. He was named to the NFL 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams and became the first tight end inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988.
He was hired by his former coach and Bears founder George Halas in 1982, Ditka led the Bears to the playoffs seven times in his 11 seasons and played in the NFC Championship Game on three occasions. As a coach, Ditka was a two-time Super Bowl champion and a two-time NFL Coach of the Year, in 1985 and 1988.
