As the Chicago Bears battle their archrival, the Green Bay Packers, on Sunday, you may notice a special No. 89 decal on each of their players' helmets. Yes, it is new. Yes, it is unique. Yes, it is for a good reason, in accordance with all-time Bears franchise history.
You see, franchise legend Mike Ditka died this past Friday, October 9th, at the age of 86. Ditka was a Hall of Fame tight end for the Bears in the 1960s before later returning to coach the team during the 1980s. He was the coach of their legendary 1985 Super Bowl championship team. He was a beloved icon for the NFL's charter franchise and one of the most recognizable figures synonymous with the Bears during his time in professional football.
As such, the Bears have decided to honor
Ditka by wearing the mentioned No. 89 helmet decal as a tribute.
Bears helmets today will have the “89” sticker in memory of Mike Ditka. pic.twitter.com/xaHYH4rfCe
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 11, 2026
As a Bears player, Ditka was a five-time Pro Bowler and a five-time All-Pro. He was considered the pioneer of the modern tight end position. As Bears coach, he won over 100 regular-season games, led the Bears to seven playoff berths, and led them to their famed 1985 Super Bowl title. In some ways, it is almost impossible to think of the modern Bears without thinking of Ditka. In that regard, the helmet decal is extremely fitting.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Why are the Bears wearing the number 89 on their helmets on Sunday?
