Mike Ditka

Michael Keller Ditka is a former American football player, coach, and television commentator. A member of both the College Football Hall of Fame in 1986, the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988, and the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame in 2001, he was the 1961 UPI NFL Rookie of Year, a five-time Pro Bowl selection and five-time All-Pro tight end with the Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, and Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL).

He was a college football Consensus All-American at the University of Pittsburgh in 1960. Drafted in the first round by George Halas of the Chicago Bears, Ditka was the 5th overall selection in 1961 NFL draft and was honored that year as the NFL's Rookie of the Year.

Ditka played tight end for the National Football Leagues Chicago Bears (1961-1966), Philadelphia Eagles (1967-1968) and Dallas Cowboys (1969-1972). He still holds four Chicago Bears receiving records: consecutive games with a reception (49), TD receptions in one game (4), receptions by rookie (56) and most TD receptions by a rookie (12).

He has won three Super Bowls, as a player (Dallas Super Bowl VI), as an assistant coach (Dallas Super Bowl XII) and as a head coach (Chicago Super Bowl XX). He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988. Ditka and Tom Flores are the only people to win an NFL title as a player, an assistant coach, and a head coach. Ditka, Flores and Gary Kubiak are also the only people in modern NFL history to win a championship as head coach of a team he played for previously.

His name is synonymous with the Chicago Bears. Known as Da Coach or Iron Mike by his players, Ditka played for and coached the Chicago Bears for 17 seasons. In 1982, Coach Halas named Ditka the 9th Head Coach in the history of the Chicago Bears. He coached the Bears from 1982 to 1992, compiling a win-loss record of 112 to 68 during that time. He guided the Bears to six NFC Central Divisional titles, in addition to three NFC title games. His 85 Bears won the NFL crown in Super Bowl XX. The 85 Bears are considered amongst the NFL's Best Ever Team going 18-1 that year. Twice, Ditka was named the NFL's Coach of the Year (85 and 88). From 1985-1988, he lead the Bears to 52 wins-the most ever by an NFL team in a four-year span in NFL history. He left the Bears football organization in 1992.

Ditka also shares his drive and team-building skills with audiences across the country. In his presentations ACE Attitude, Character and Enthusiasm, he shares the lessons learned in a life of commitment and attention to the fundamentals-resulting in victory. He delivers a powerful presentation that highlights the key characteristics people need to achieve their personal and professional goals.

Ditka is a commentator and analyst, a restaurateur, an actor, a commercial spokesperson and an avid golfer. He is involved with many charitable organizations, including Misericordia, a residential facility for mentally and physically challenged youths. In 2018, Ditka was hospitalized in Naples, Florida after suffering a heart attack while playing golf.