(Gray News) - Hall-of-Famer and legendary coach Mike Ditka died at age 86, according to his family.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mike Ditka,” [his family said in a statement.](https://x.com/paytonsun/status/2108575266477920611?s=20) “While the world knew Mike as a Hall of Fame football player, legendary coach, and leader of the Chicago Bears’ Super Bowl XX championship team, we knew him as the heart of our family.
“Mike will be missed beyond measure and remembered forever.”
Former NFL player and coach Mike Ditka arrives at the 5th annual NFL Honors at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, in San Francisco. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision for NFL/AP Images)(Jordan Strauss | Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Ditka gained notoriety after leading the 1985 Bears to the franchise’s only Super Bowl title. The team boasted arguably the greatest defense in NFL history.
As a player, Ditka was a two-time NFL champion, a two-time First-Team All-Pro, a three-time Second-Team All-Pro and a five-time Pro Bowler.
He was named to the NFL 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams and became the first tight end inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988.
He was hired by his former coach and Bears founder George Halas in 1982, Ditka led the Bears to the playoffs seven times in his 11 seasons and played in the NFC Championship Game on three occasions.
As a coach, Ditka was a two-time Super Bowl champion and a two-time NFL Coach of the Year, in 1985 and 1988.
No cause of death has been revealed.
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