There was sadness around the NFL and football universe of Friday with the news that Chicago Bears legend Mike Ditka had died at 86.
The 1988 Pro Football Hall of Famer was a great player and coach for the Bears, who drafted him fifth overall out of Pitt in 1961. He went on to become one of the great tight ends in NFL history.
Ditka caught 427 passes for 5,812 yards and 76 touchdowns while playing for the Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, and Dallas Cowboys.
He coached the Bears from 1982-1992, and New Orleans Saints from 1997-1999. He led the Bears to the Super Bowl in the 1985 season and they crushed the New England Patriots, 46-10, in Super Bowl XX following that season.
Social media paid tribute to the great Ditka.
Mike Ditka dies at 86
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 9, 2026
Mike Ditka dies at 86
Coach, man,
we had some great times, laughs, and memories over the years. Always admired your style. Thank you for the talks, advice, and friendship. Chicago lost a legend Rest easy, Coach. pic.twitter.com/J5x4BkyuLc
— Ozzie Guillen (@OzzieGuillen) October 9, 2026
Mike Ditka dies at 86
It’s with a heavy heart that I’m sharing the Ditka family has announced the passing of Mike Ditka this morning.
— Jarrett Payton (@paytonsun) October 9, 2026
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… pic.twitter.com/NUDfwsjaNH
Mike Ditka dies at 86
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…
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) October 9, 2026
Mike Ditka dies at 86
Bigger than life.
— Silvy (@WaddleandSilvy) October 9, 2026
That’s the best way to sum up the great Mike Ditka.
Bigger than life was how he played.
Bigger than life with how he coached.
Bigger than life w/ his toughness.
And that personality.
Coach Ditka was Chicago—even though he was from Pittsburg.
RIP Coach.
Mike Ditka dies at 86
The NFL is deeply saddened by the passing of Hall of Fame coach and tight end, Mike Ditka.
— NFL (@NFL) October 9, 2026
Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/H9cMGPc8ln
Mike Ditka dies at 86
Player. Coach. Legend.
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 9, 2026
Mike Ditka embodied the spirit of Chicago and will be deeply missed.
Mike Ditka dies at 86
Mother—
— Capt. Caleb Williams (@CaptCSWilliams) October 9, 2026
A giant of the North hath fallen.
Gen. Michael Ditka, conqueror of ‘85, led Chicago’s mighty regiment to glory & bestowed upon our city a championship immortal.
His name is etched in the annals of war. His banner shall never fall.
Rest, General. Chicago remembers.
—CW
Mike Ditka dies at 86
It’s impossible to think of Chicago without thinking of Mike Ditka. He will be missed. pic.twitter.com/alZCdhoNAv
— Manny's Deli (@mannysdeli) October 9, 2026
Mike Ditka dies at 86
will always remember when mike ditka gave my sister and i a bag of cheese balls when we were little girls for waiting in the longest line for his autograph at Binny's with my dad🥺🫶🏼
— Lauren Wisdom (@cubsfanscentral) October 9, 2026
rest in peace, coach ❤️ https://t.co/J6VGIzh6eQ
Mike Ditka dies at 86
Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka, whose toughness and leadership helped define an era of professional football, passed away at the age of 86, his family announced Friday. A member of the Hall's Class of 1988, Ditka's legacy as a player, coach and football icon will endure… pic.twitter.com/1eHsn554d5
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) October 9, 2026
Mike Ditka dies at 86
Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka, whose toughness and leadership helped define an era of professional football, passed away at the age of 86, his family announced Friday. A member of the Hall's Class of 1988, Ditka's legacy as a player, coach and football icon will endure… pic.twitter.com/1eHsn554d5
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) October 9, 2026
Mike Ditka dies at 86
"Thoughts and prayers go out to his family. He's a legend."
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 9, 2026
-Dan Campbell shares a story from when he met Mike Ditka as a NFL Draft prospect at the Combine. pic.twitter.com/CQknz8h7XF
Mike Ditka dies at 86
Mike Ditka dies at 86
RIP Mike Ditka
— Colin Dunlap (@colin_dunlap) October 9, 2026
Aliquippa High School
Class of 1957 pic.twitter.com/6lqqi61mbj
Mike Ditka dies at 86
A post-dinner photo of myself, Coach Ditka and my late father George. My family, along with a few others, founded PALS, an organization for special needs children. I went to Ditkas Steakhouse to pick up a gift certificate for a fundraiser. The manager walked me in and handed… pic.twitter.com/LzbyDIyTnT
— Harry Psaros (@PittGuru) October 9, 2026
Mike Ditka dies at 86
.@paytonsun on Bears legend Mike Ditka: "Anytime that I needed him, he was always there." pic.twitter.com/qxo6ijJQte
— 104.3 The Score (@thescorechicago) October 9, 2026
Mike Ditka dies at 86
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… pic.twitter.com/3PWIB4U3Wu
— Matthew Berry (@MatthewBerryTMR) October 9, 2026
Mike Ditka dies at 86
RIP Mike Ditka. Such a great football mind and a guy that was such an authentic ambassador of the game of football. Just built differently. That 85’ Bears team is one of the greatest ever assembled. Thank you coach. Godspeed. pic.twitter.com/2rkTCpn1vj
— 👑 Frankie Kazarian 👑 (@FrankieKazarian) October 9, 2026
Mike Ditka dies at 86
The NFL didn't just lose a legend. It lost one of the last true larger than life personalities the game has ever seen.
— Cooper DeJAWN 🦅 (@CooperDeJawn3) October 9, 2026
RIP Mike Ditka 🕊️🏈 https://t.co/y73xFQiqdI pic.twitter.com/nGPKTUBkIV
Mike Ditka dies at 86
Ditka is 1 of 2 people in NFL History to win a Super Bowl in all three roles.
— Lord Zito (@VivalaZito) October 9, 2026
-Player
-Assistant Coach
-Head Coach#DitkaStat pic.twitter.com/oCODK0qVPl
Mike Ditka dies at 86
Saints organization mourns the passing of NFL icon Mike Ditka 🙏https://t.co/PrctucAR2d
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 9, 2026
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Tributes pour in on social media after death of Bears icon Mike Ditka
