Mike Ditka

Mike Ditka (born October 18, 1939, in the Pittsburgh suburb of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania) is a former NFL player, coach, and television commentator best known for his 11-year stint as head coach of the Chicago Bears. He is the only person to have won a Super Bowl as a player, assistant coach, and head coach; and was the only participant in the Chicago Bears two championships in the modern era, as a player in 1963 and as head coach in 1985.

Player

After an All-American senior season at Pitt in 1960, Ditka was drafted to play tight end by the Bears. His presence was immediately felt. In his first season, Ditka had 56 receptions, introducing a new dimension to a tight end position that had previously been dedicated to blocking. His success earned him NFL Rookie of the Year honors. He continued to play for the Bears for the next five years, earning a Pro Bowl trip each season. He played on the 1963 NFL championship team. Many of the players from that team, including Ditka, were drafted by assistant coach George Allen, a future Hall of Famer, who was then in charge of the Bears drafts. Ditka was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 1967, where he spent two seasons, before being shipped off to the Dallas Cowboys in 1969. He spent four seasons with the Cowboys, highlighted by a touchdown reception in the Cowboys' 24-3 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI.

Related Topics:
Pitt - 1960 - Tight end - NFL Rookie of the Year - Pro Bowl - Philadelphia Eagles - 1967 - Dallas Cowboys - 1969 - Miami Dolphins - Super Bowl VI

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In 1988, his fearsome blocking and 427 career receptions earned him the honor of being the first tight-end ever inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Mike Ditka is a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.

Related Topics:
1988 - Pro Football Hall of Fame

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