Chicago Bears

Legendary Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka has died at the age of 86, his family announced through Walter Payton’s son, Jarrett, on Friday.

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Ditka spent 12 seasons in the NFL as a tight end who left no doubt about his toughness, earning five Pro Bowl selections and securing his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. As a coach, Ditka was just as successful. He spent 11 seasons at the helm of the Bears, winning 106 games and overseeing the Super Bowl-winning 1985 team that many consider to be the greatest in NFL history.

A larger-than-life figure, Ditka also enjoyed a media career as a studio analyst and made several cameo appearances in TV shows and movies.

Here’s how the NFL world is mourning Ditka.

Mike Ditka dies at 86

Ditka’s death was announced by Walter Payton’s son, Jarrett, on Friday. No cause of death was announced.

It’s with a heavy heart that I’m sharing the Ditka family has announced the passing of Mike Ditka this morning. Da Coach. Hall of Famer. The heartbeat of the ’85 Bears and a Super Bowl champion. Chicago won’t be the same. Prayers to Diana and the family. RIP, Coach. 🐻⬇️ Here’s a statement from the family: It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mike Ditka. 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. With love and gratitude, The Ditka Family

— Jarrett Payton (@paytonsun) October 9, 2026

«It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mike Ditka,» the family said, through Payton. «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.»

Ditka suffered heart attacks in 1988 and 2018, as well as a minor stroke in 2012, and had been largely out of the spotlight over the last few years. He would’ve turned 87 on Oct. 18.

Mike Ditka tributes

The NFL said it is «deeply saddened» by Ditka’s death.

The NFL is deeply saddened by the passing of Hall of Fame coach and tight end, Mike Ditka. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones. ❤️ https://t.co/H9cMGPc8ln

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— NFL (@NFL) October 9, 2026

Fox Sports insider Jay Glazer shared a heartfelt tribute to his former CBS Sports colleague:

RIP to the legend, Da Coach, Mike Ditka. Got to work with and become very close to him while we are at The NFL Today on CBS together in 2000 and 2001. I learned soooo much from him, about generosity, about life. This man was such a great friend to be around and knock around NYC together pretty much every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Without a doubt the absolute time of my life! Soooo many hilarious stories. Like I said, learned SO much about life from him and I’m forever grateful! Love ya Coach #ditka

— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) October 9, 2026

ESPN’s Mike Greenberg paid tribute to the «larger than life» Ditka on Friday:

I am heartbroken to learn of the passing of Mike Ditka. There is no figure in my career or my life who looms larger, he was truly larger than life and that will never change. Rest in peace Iron Mike, thank you for absolutely everything. https://t.co/CxAywBxvJk

— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) October 9, 2026

U.S. senator Ted Cruz called Ditka a «giant of American football.»

Mike Ditka was a giant of American football, and he will always have a special place in Texas football history. He caught a touchdown from Roger Staubach in Super Bowl VI, helping bring Dallas its first championship, then spent nine years coaching alongside the legendary Tom Landry, helping the Cowboys win a second. He went on to lead the legendary 1985 Chicago Bears, one of the greatest teams in NFL history, to a Super Bowl championship. Heidi and I are praying for his family. Rest in peace, Iron Mike.

— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) October 9, 2026

Fantasy football guru Matthew Berry paid tribute to Ditka, calling the former Bears coach «kind, supportive and funny.»

I am so incredibly sad to learn of the passing of Mike Ditka. His playing & coaching prowess is well documented. A legit 🐐. But more importantly…he was kind, supportive and funny. When I first got to ESPN there were definitely ex NFL stars (and others!) that looked at the nerdy fantasy guy with disdain or a shake of the head. When I walked by I tried to move quickly past them to my segment & get out. But after seeing this a few times, Coach Ditka called me over to him, where he was holding court and surrounded by a ton of other ESPN stars and producers. Ditka thanked me(!) for coming over to him and said he wanted to meet ME. That I was his kids favorite person on ESPN and that all they talked about was fantasy football. That he appreciated my work on air and he was glad to be on the same team with me. And then he put his arm around me. I have no idea if any of that was true, but I know Mike did that specifically to throw his support behind me. And if you had Coach Ditka on your side, well, that went a LONG way internally. And every week after that he would talk with me about matchups and players that he liked and things he’d seen and heard around the NFL, helping me be better at my job. RIP Mike Ditka. Much love always.

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— Matthew Berry (@MatthewBerryTMR) October 9, 2026