Mike Ditka was one of the most important figures in the NFL over the past 60 years. He was a great tight end, setting the rookie record for the position with 1,076 yards in 1961 -- and doing it on just 56 receptions during a 14 game season at a time when tight ends weren't thrown to nearly as much as today, for an outstanding per catch average of 19.2 yards. His record lasted 63 years until 2024 when it was broken by Brock Bowers. Ditka was the first tight end enshrined in Canton.
Ditka was a top NFL coach following his playing career, his most memorable team being the 1985 Chicago Bears, one of the most dominant teams in NFL history. From a CF standpoint, his teams in Chicago and then New Orleans were among the relatively White friendliest in the league.
He had a larger than life personality, a tough as nails man's man who didn't tolerate bs and was no one to trifle with. Ditka always stood out as a strong alpha even as White men were being beaten down and "reprogrammed" over the past two generations. One of the great characters of the sport, his death is a big loss. RIP
Here's Ditka's most famous catch, from a 1963 game against the Steelers.
Ditka was a top NFL coach following his playing career, his most memorable team being the 1985 Chicago Bears, one of the most dominant teams in NFL history. From a CF standpoint, his teams in Chicago and then New Orleans were among the relatively White friendliest in the league.
He had a larger than life personality, a tough as nails man's man who didn't tolerate bs and was no one to trifle with. Ditka always stood out as a strong alpha even as White men were being beaten down and "reprogrammed" over the past two generations. One of the great characters of the sport, his death is a big loss. RIP
Here's Ditka's most famous catch, from a 1963 game against the Steelers.
