Thursday, October 22 will be the first time Chicago Bears fans gather for a home game since NFL legend Mike Ditka died on October 9.
The Bears are doing special things before their game against the New England Patriots to honor the legendary Bears player and coach. Ditka played for the Bears from 1961 to 1966 and coached the team from 1982-1992.
MORE: Tributes pour in for Mike Ditka after legendary Bears coach’s death
What the Bears are doing
The traditional moment of silence and a video will be done; however, less traditional things will be done too especially with the giveaways.
All fans will get fake moustaches when they enter the stadium. The first 10,000 fans will also get a headband that is reminiscent of his Bears sweater vest he frequently wore as the team’s head coach while he paced the sidelines.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame which inducted Ditka in 1988 are constructing a display on the south courtyard at Soldier Field.
There will also be a stencil of Ditka on the Soldier Field grass.
MORE: Jim Nantz pays tribute to Mike Ditka during Steelers-Colts game
Bears vs. Patriots is an ironic, symbolic matchup
The Chicago Bears will give out fake mustaches to all fans at Soldier Field on Thursday night to honor Mike Ditka and the first 10,000 fans to enter stadium will also receive a Bears knit headband inspired by Ditka’s famous sweater vest, per @patrickfinley The team will also hold a moment of silence before the game.
— Bearsszn (@bearszn) October 21, 2026
The fact that the first home game after Ditka’s death is against the Patriots is ironic. Ditka coached the 1985 Bears to their only Super Bowl championship against the New England Patriots by the score of 46-10.
That was one of many firsts for Ditka in his NFL career. He was also the first tight end ever inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. When Ditka’s number was retired by the Bears in 2013, the Bears declared that no other players’ numbers would be retired.
Ditka was a one of a kind football mind and personality. The Bears hope to honor his legacy with these gestures in addition to wearing his number 89 patch on their jerseys for the remainder of the season.
The 2026 Bears would love to follow in Ditka and the 1985 Bears’ footsteps. They are currently 4-2, tied with the Green Bay Packers and trailing the first place, undefeated 5-0 Minnesota Vikings.
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