# Packers honor Mike Ditka as fiercest NFL competitor

> Packers call Mike Ditka 'one of the fiercest competitors in NFL history' after his death.
- Title: Packers honor Mike Ditka as fiercest NFL competitor | Shortify
- Summary: Packers call Mike Ditka 'one of the fiercest competitors in NFL history' after his death. Packers praised Mike Ditka as 'one of the fiercest competitors in…
- Keywords: mike ditka, green bay packers, chicago bears, nfl, death, rivalry, news, local, Packers, honor, Mike, Ditka
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2026/10/09/bears-mike-ditka-die-packers-praise-fiercest-competitors-nfl-history
- Published: 2026-10-09T18:43:33.102+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: mike ditka, green bay packers, chicago bears, nfl, death, rivalry, news, local
## Packers statement
Packers released a statement praising Mike Ditka as 'one of the fiercest competitors in NFL history'.

> One of the fiercest competitors in NFL history, Mike helped define the intensity and tradition of the Packers-Bears rivalry, the oldest in professional football
## Ditka's legacy
Ditka coached the Bears to their only Super Bowl championship and died at age 86.

> Mike Ditka, who coached the Bears to their only Super Bowl championship, has died
## Rivalry significance
The Packers-Bears rivalry is the oldest in professional football with 214 games played.

> The Packers-Bears rivalry, the oldest in professional football
## Packers' plans
Packers will acknowledge Ditka's death at Lambeau Field before Sunday's game.

> The Packers figure to acknowledge Ditka’s death at Lambeau Field on Sunday before the teams line up for the 214th playing of the rivalry game
## Bears' tribute
Bears may add helmet sticker or jersey patch in Ditka's honor.

> The Bears are likely to add a helmet sticker or jersey patch in Ditka’s honor
## Coach Ben Johnson
Bears coach Ben Johnson called Ditka 'gold standard' for leadership.

> Mike Ditka was 'gold standard'
## Ditka's background
Ditka was born in Pennsylvania and adopted Chicago as his home.

> The son of a Pennsylvania steel mill worker came to Chicago as a player and became a legend
## Key takeaway

Packers praised Mike Ditka as 'one of the fiercest competitors in NFL history' following his death at age 86.