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The NFL world lost a legendary figure in former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka, who passed away earlier this month at the age of 86. Tributes poured in from all over the football community for Ditka, from current Bears coach Ben Johnson to former Bears player Jim Harbaugh.
The Bears had also shared an official statement on Ditka’s passing, but they had been unable to pay tribute to the deceased coach at Soldier Field since they had not had a home game there in the last two weeks.
That finally changed on Thursday night, when the Bears hosted the New England Patriots. With several fans dressed up as Ditka with his trademark sunglasses, mustache, and sweater vest, the Bears honored him with a touching moment of silence.
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The Bears hold a moment of silence for the late Mike Ditka 🙌❤️
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/qrISykanWf
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 23, 2026
Ditka was the Bears’ head coach for 11 seasons, from 1982-1992. He finished with a record of 106-62 and led the Bears to a Super Bowl championship in the 1985 season.
Before his outstanding coaching career, Ditka was an accomplished player in his own right. He was taken fifth overall by the Bears in the 1961 NFL Draft. During his rookie campaign, he became the first tight end to top 1,000 yards receiving in a season as he went on to win Rookie of the Year. He went on to win the 1963 NFL Championship with the Bears. He also played on the Dallas Cowboys’ Super Bowl VI championship team.
After retiring, Ditka became the first tight end enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988. He would then go on to broadcasting, serving as color commentator on NBC and studio analyst at ESPN.
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