Mike Ditka, who coached the 1985 Chicago Bears to their only Super Bowl title in franchise history, has died at the age of 86, his family announced on Friday, Oct. 9.
"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."
No cause of death was announced.
Ditka, drafted fifth overall by the Bears in 1961, won Rookie of the Year honors after becoming the first tight end to surpass 1,000 receiving yards.
He was a member of the Bears’ 1963 NFL championship team and was on the Dallas Cowboys’ club that won Super Bowl 6 in addition to playing for the Philadelphia Eagles.
He was the first tight end enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, being inducted in 1988.
Ditka was hired as coach of the Bears by team founder George Halas in 1982 and he led Chicago to the playoffs seven times during his 11-year run as coach. Ditka often clashed with reporters and even members of the 1985 team, but the Bears went 15-1 during the regular season and defeated the New England Patriots, 46-10, in the Super Bowl.
The Bears’ defense that season is widely recognized as the greatest in the Super Bowl era.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Legendary Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka dies at 86
