If Chicago sports had a Mount Rushmore, it wouldn’t be difficult to pinpoint the first two names on it. Michael Jordan would be one, and Walter Payton would be the other. From there, the debate becomes fierce for who gets the other spots. One name that has always deserved prime consideration is Mike Ditka. Few accomplished more in this city over decades of work. First, he put together a Hall of Fame career as a tight end for the Chicago Bears in the 1960s, winning a championship in 1963. Then he returned in 1982 as their head coach, leading them to a Super Bowl title three years later. The man is an icon.
Now he has sadly passed away.
Jarrett Payton, son of Walter and a longtime friend of the Da Coach, was the one to break the news on 104.3 The Score. Ditka had been dealing with several health issues in recent years, forcing his exit from public life. They finally caught up with him at the age of 86. The man led one of the most unforgettable lives in the history of this city. He is and will always be royalty to its people. All one can do is mourn that it’s over, then make sure to celebrate it whenever possible.
The timing of Mike Ditka passing is both fitting and eerie.
He was 86 years old. His Super Bowl victory came on January 26th of 1986. It seems rather appropriate that those two numbers would sync up. It’s also worth noting that George Halas, the man who both drafted Ditka as a player and hired him as a head coach, also died in October. However, it gets even spookier than that. Payton, the player Ditka coached during the final 6 years of his own legendary career, died on November 1st of 1999. The Bears were slated to play the Packers in Green Bay that week.
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Mike Ditka died on October 8th, 2026. The Bears are slated to play the Packers in Green Bay this week. How is that for a coincidence? Ditka and Payton were always tight. The mutual respect was obvious. Both also bled blue and orange, sharing a mutual hatred for the Packers. It seems incredibly fitting that each went right before a continuation of that epic rivalry. As if the Bears needed any further motivation to win on Sunday. This gives them all the incentive in the world.
Do it for Iron Mike one last time.
