The NFL world is reeling following the passing of legendary Chicago Bears tight end and Super Bowl-winning head coach Mike Ditka on Friday. Ditka passed away at the age of 86 and leaves behind a legacy as one of the most successful sports figures in Chicago history.
Ditka, who was selected at No. 5 overall in the 1961 NFL draft, spent six seasons with the Bears and helped revolutionize the tight end position as we know it today. In 84 games with Chicago, Ditka totaled 316 receptions for 4,503 yards and 34 touchdowns. He was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 1967, where he would go on to play two seasons (1967-68) before spending four years with the Dallas Cowboys (1969-72).
After he retired from playing, Ditka got his coaching start with the
Cowboys, serving as an assistant coach under Tom Landry for nine seasons. While working for Dallas, Ditka penned a letter to Bears owner George Halas expressing his desire to return to Chicago and serve as head coach.
The Bears hired Ditka as their head coach in 1982, and he coached the team for 11 seasons. His crowning moment came leading the legendary 1985 Bears to a Super Bowl XX championship, defeating the New England Patriots, 46-10. The '85 Bears had arguably the best defense of all-time and an explosive offense featuring Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton.
The news of Ditka's passing rocked the football world with Bears fans and general fans alike celebrating his life on social media. Here is how the NFL world reacted to the somber news.
NFL world reacts to death of Bears legend Mike Ditka
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. pic.twitter.com/CxAywBxvJk
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) October 9, 2026
Rest in Peace to a legend! pic.twitter.com/Yoj5vnRSfX
— DaWindyCity Productions (@dwcprodz) October 9, 2026
Only 1 man had faith in the Chicago Bears to win in Green Bay on MNF in 2013: Mike Ditka.
— Daniel Coltun (@danielcoltun) October 9, 2026
Let’s win it again for him this Sunday. RIP to the legend. pic.twitter.com/4Y8QraFgDk
Ben Johnson needs to be in this fit on Sunday afternoon. I don’t care what the fine is, pay it.
— Dave Helman (@davehelman_) October 9, 2026
RIP to the legend. pic.twitter.com/xDtLtPlC4m
— BearsShowYo (@BearsShowYo) October 9, 2026
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
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 will forever be a #Bears legend. He was a great tight end and a great coach, and he truly became a Chicago institution.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) October 9, 2026
May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/SV0W4Hd7h6
Legend in every sense of the word.
— Tyler Dunne (@TyDunne) October 9, 2026
Changed the position. Defined football.
RIP https://t.co/BcY0ZasYOW
There HAS TO BE a Mike Ditka patch and quick @ChicagoBears @CALEBcsw @JAYChi_Bears
— Relentless_Mikey (@Relentles_Mikey) October 9, 2026
I created this one. pic.twitter.com/zCeAUL20MN
I need Ben Johnson wearing the Ditka sweater on the sideline this weekend so bad now
— 🅱️🚂 (@blakecowellx) October 9, 2026
DA COACH FOREVER. RIP MIKE DITKA. #MikeDitkaForever pic.twitter.com/zYqlbA6eiF
— OBVIOUS SHIRTS® (@obvious_shirts) October 9, 2026
NFL and Chicago Bears legend Mike Ditka passed away this morning, October 9, 2026, at the age of 86.
— The Facts Dude 🤙🏽 (@Thefactsdude) October 9, 2026
One of my favorite movies growing up was Kicking and Screaming with Will Ferrell and himself.
Now my children love it.
RIP Legend ✊🏼 pic.twitter.com/WTrWRDwVfm
RIP Coach Ditka. All time Football Guy. The few times I got to meet/interview him were such a thrill. He was the definition of swagger and aura. Don’t make them like that anymore pic.twitter.com/jcHBIfu6yx
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) October 9, 2026
Mike Ditka relished playing the Packers but coaching against them, well, that was a whole different level. Whether it was Lindy Infante or Forrest Gregg - Ditka loved to compete against his counterparts- was it personal ? 100% . Coach took receipts. He changed the entire culture
— chuck swirsky (@ctsbulls) October 9, 2026
RIP🐻⬇️ pic.twitter.com/Z2IgozwvfV
— CHGO Bears (@CHGO_Bears) October 9, 2026
Bears by a billion points on Sunday
— Cody Delmendo (@cody__cubs) October 9, 2026
Everyone all around Chicago today: pic.twitter.com/qmmvlbgIYT
— Carmen Vitali (@CarmieV) October 9, 2026
RIP King pic.twitter.com/nu14ljsFwk
— Memes (@PardonMyMeme) October 9, 2026
Man. I’m bummed out.
— Eddie (@EddieBarstool) October 9, 2026
We throw around “legend” too lightly sometimes but that description was designed for people like Mike Ditka.
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) October 9, 2026
One of the few great players who became a great coach in his sport as well. RIP to a legend. https://t.co/KnTetPRqmP
RIP DA COACH pic.twitter.com/outWF7OIGB
— Joey Christopoulos (@JoeySportsGuy) October 9, 2026
Wow. I’m so sad.
— Taylor Doll (@TayDoll1010xl) October 9, 2026
Absolute legend. Da Coach 🧡
Rest Easy. Bear Down. Bear Always. pic.twitter.com/6wUostaxeK
Bears might legitimately beat Green Bay by 600 billion points as a tribute to Coach
— Nick Palazzolo (@NickPalazzolo5) October 9, 2026
chicago men: u all have to grow mustaches now out of respect
— hannah montoya (@hannahcmontoya) October 9, 2026
Appropriately, the Bears flag flying half mast at Halas Hall pic.twitter.com/kX0hMqCBnv
— Paris Schutz (@paschutz) October 9, 2026
Mike Ditka understood what #Bears-#Packers football was supposed to mean.
— Aldo Gandia (@BearsBarroomHQ) October 9, 2026
In 1985, the he set the standard. 🐻
Four decades later, Ben Johnson has revived that rivalry.
If you weren't alive in 1985, you need to experience this.#DaBears #Bears
Johnny Morris on the mic... pic.twitter.com/6ja6GABYCa
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: NFL world reacts to death of Bears legend Mike Ditka
