Mike Ditka

Ditka was married to his first wife, Marge, from 1961 to 1973, and they had four children: Mark, Matt, Mike, and Megan. He married Diane, also known as Diana, in 1977.

He suffered a heart attack during the 1988 football season and a minor stroke in 2012. In 2018, he was hospitalized in Naples, Florida, after suffering another heart attack while playing golf.

Born Michael Dyczko, Ditka grew up in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, after being born in nearby Carnegie. His family changed the surname to Ditka because Dyczko was difficult for people in his hometown to pronounce. He was a three-sport athlete at Aliquippa High School and initially planned to become a dentist.

Ditka played football for the University of Pittsburgh from 1958 to 1960 while also competing in baseball and basketball. He led Pittsburgh in receiving in each of his three football seasons and also served as a punter. As a senior, he was a team captain and a unanimous first-team All-American. Pittsburgh retired his number 89, and he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1986.

The Chicago Bears selected Ditka fifth overall in the 1961 NFL draft, while the Houston Oilers chose him eighth overall in the AFL draft. He signed with Chicago and immediately expanded the role of the tight end, catching 58 passes and 12 touchdown passes as a rookie. He was named NFL Rookie of the Year and made the Pro Bowl in each of his first five seasons.

Ditka helped the Bears win the 1963 NFL championship before playing for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1967 and 1968 and the Dallas Cowboys from 1969 through 1972. He caught a touchdown pass in the Cowboys' 24-3 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI. He retired after the 1972 season with 427 receptions, 5,812 receiving yards, and 43 touchdowns.

In 1988, Ditka became the first tight end inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was also selected for the NFL's 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams, and the Bears retired his number 89 in 2013.

After retiring as a player, Ditka joined the Dallas Cowboys as an assistant coach under Tom Landry. From 1973 to 1981, he was part of teams that reached the playoffs eight times, won six division titles and three NFC championships, and captured Super Bowl XII.

George Halas hired Ditka as the Chicago Bears' head coach in 1982. Ditka led the Bears to six NFC Central Division titles and three NFC Championship Game appearances. His defining achievement came in Super Bowl XX, when the Bears defeated the New England Patriots 46-10 after finishing the regular season 15-1. The team included Walter Payton, Mike Singletary, Dan Hampton, and Richard Dent, while defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan directed the celebrated defense.

Ditka was named AP NFL Coach of the Year in 1985 and 1988. He later coached the New Orleans Saints from 1997 to 1999, finishing that tenure with a 15-33 record. Across 14 seasons as a head coach, he recorded a 121-95 regular-season record and a 6-6 postseason record.

After leaving the Bears, Ditka worked as an NFL analyst and color commentator for NBC. He later served as a studio analyst for CBS Sports and appeared on ESPN football programs and radio broadcasts. His broadcasting work helped extend his public profile beyond coaching.

Ditka wrote or contributed to books including Ditka: An Autobiography, The 85 Bears: We Were the Greatest, and In Life First You Kick Ass. He also appeared as himself in television programs and films, including Cheers, According to Jim, and Kicking & Screaming, in which he played a football coach.

His other ventures included restaurants, resorts, the computer game Mike Ditka Ultimate Football, and ownership of the X League, a women's tackle football league. He was also a co-owner of the Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League.