Mike Ditka Dies at 86: The '85 Bears Remember a Coach Who Demanded Perfection
Mike Ditka, the Hall of Fame tight end and coach who led the Chicago Bears to Super Bowl XX victory in 1985, has died at age 86. His family announced the news on Friday. Former players recall his intense training methods, which included running 100-yard sprints until exhaustion, and his unique ability to balance brutal discipline with genuine support for his athletes. Ditka’s legacy is defined by his transformation of the Bears into a dominant force and his influence on a generation of NFL coaches.