# Mike Ditka Dies at 86

> Hall of Fame tight end and Chicago Bears Super Bowl coach Mike Ditka dies at 86.
- Title: Mike Ditka Dies at 86 · CBS Sports | Shortify
- Summary: Hall of Fame tight end and Chicago Bears Super Bowl coach Mike Ditka dies at 86. Mike Ditka, a Hall of Fame tight end and the Chicago Bears' Super Bowl…
- Keywords: mike ditka, chicago bears, super bowl xx, pro football hall of fame, nfl, tight end, sports, Mike, Ditka, Dies, CBS Sports
- Source: CBS Sports — https://cbssports.com/nfl/news/mike-ditka-bears-super-bowl-winning-coach-dies-at-age-86
- Published: 2026-10-09T15:48:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: mike ditka, chicago bears, super bowl xx, pro football hall of fame, nfl, tight end, sports
## Mike Ditka dies
Mike Ditka, a Hall of Fame tight end and the Chicago Bears' only Super Bowl championship team coach, died at age 86.
## Hall of Fame honors
Ditka was a member of both the College and Pro Football Hall of Fame, the 1961 NFL Rookie of the Year, and a two-time NFL Coach of the Year.
## Bears' Super Bowl XX coach
Ditka led the Bears to a 46-10 win over the Patriots in Super Bowl XX after an 18-1 record.
## First tight end in NFL
Ditka became the first tight end in NFL history to go over 1,000 yards receiving in 1961.
## Bears' defense
Ditka said the Bears' defense won Super Bowl XX, noting 'you'd have to be a fool to say otherwise.'

> We won the Super Bowl because of our defense. I mean, you'd have to be a fool to say otherwise.
## Legacy
Ditka's family described him as 'the heart of our family' and said he will be 'missed beyond measure and remembered forever.'
## Key takeaway

Mike Ditka, a Hall of Fame tight end and the Chicago Bears' Super Bowl XX-winning coach, died at age 86.