Mike Ditka dies after championship careers as Bears player and coach

The NFL legend's family announced his death. Ditka was the first tight end inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Mike Ditka died on October 9 at age 86. His family announced his death, and the Chicago Bears issued a statement of condolence recognising his contribution to the franchise's championships as both a player and head coach.

Ditka entered the NFL in 1961. Across a 14-game rookie regular season, he caught 56 passes for 1,076 yards and 12 touchdowns. He earned the league's Rookie of the Year award, establishing an early standard for the tight end position.

He helped the Bears win the NFL championship in 1963. Chicago went 11-1-2 in the regular season before defeating the New York Giants 17-14 in the title game. Ditka was selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first five seasons.

His playing career later took him to the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys. Ditka caught a touchdown pass in Super Bowl VI, the Cowboys' first victory in the game. After retiring as a player, he joined Tom Landry's coaching staff and won another Super Bowl following the 1977 season.

George Halas appointed Ditka as the Bears' head coach in 1982. Ditka led the 1985 team to the franchise's only Super Bowl title. His use of defensive lineman William Perry on offence became one of that team's most memorable features. Perry also scored a touchdown in the championship game.

In 1988, Ditka became the first tight end inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His championships spanned three roles: player, assistant coach and head coach. In Chicago, his career connected two championship eras separated by more than two decades.