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Mike Ditka tributes pour in from President Trump, former President Obama, Chicago and the NFL

The Bears said Ditka shaped the franchise as a player and coach, while current coach Ben Johnson called him the gold standard.

  • On Friday, legendary Chicago Bears coach and player Mike Ditka died at 86, his family announced, marking the loss of the icon who guided the team to its only Super Bowl championship in 1985.
  • Ditka solidified the intense rivalry with the Green Bay Packers, teaching Chicago fans to hate the team and fostering the 'Monsters of the Midway' mindset that defined the Bears throughout the 1980s.
  • Former President Barack Obama said, "Coach Ditka set the tone for a team that was punishing, dominant," while NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell called him an "ambassador for the game" who inspired generations.
  • Current Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson called Ditka the "gold standard," saying, "I feel humbled to be in that same chair," as fans gathered at Soldier Field near the Walter Payton statue.
  • The Chicago Bears prepare to face the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, a matchup fans find poignant as Ditka's passing occurs just days before the pivotal rivalry game he helped define.
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19 Articles

Yakima Herald-RepublicYakima Herald-Republic
+5 Reposted by 5 other sources
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Mike Ditka tributes pour in from President Trump, former President Obama, Chicago and the NFL

Mike Ditka, known as "Iron Mike," has died at 86. Ditka revolutionized the tight end position and became the iconic coach of the Chicago Bears, leading them to a Super Bowl victory. Tributes have poured in from across the sports…

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The Washington Post broke the news in Washington, United States on Friday, October 9, 2026.
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