Mike Ditka may not have coached in the NFL since 1999, but his impact on football has spanned generations.
Ditka died Friday at age 86, and Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell and Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh both recalled incredible stories about the Chicago Bears legend. Campbell learned of Ditka’s death during a news conference and shared a story about their first interaction.
“I got a great Ditka story. Somebody I just loved growing up, man, and Ditka was it. Huge fan. So, when I’m able to come out, I’m getting drafted to go to the combine. Well, the Saints want to meet with me, in particular, Mike Ditka, right? Tight end, uh, hell of a player, hell of a coach, all the whole thing,” Campbell said.
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Campbell, who was already nervous about meeting the Hall of Fame tight end, assumed there would be other people in the room with Ditka.
“No. I go in and there’s one little light on. It’s like a little lamp in the corner, you know? It’s at the train station and there’s nothing in there. There’s no couches there. The room is totally cleaned out and there’s one little table and the room is full of smoke,” Campbell said.
“I mean, you can’t hardly even see him. You just see this image off in the corner of this little lamp and smoke everywhere and he’s got that big fat cigar.”
Campbell called the meeting with Ditka one of the “best” and most “intimidating” experiences of his life, but looks back on it fondly.
“It was awesome though, man. Just him asking questions about, where you grew up, how you think, how you’re wired, the game, what you see, it was awesome. And thoughts and prayers go out to his family. You know, he’s a legend. He’s a legend,” Campbell said.
Ditka drafted Harbaugh in the first round of the 1987 NFL Draft while serving as the Bears’ head coach. The Chargers coach recalled witnessing Ditka’s generosity while the two reviewed a game plan in Ditka’s office.
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During their discuccion, Ditka began writing checks, and lots of them.
“Then I finally said, ‘Hey, you know, what are you doing, coach?’ And he said he had gotten a letter, and it was like a stack of letters, and people that were in need that he was writing $500 checks each,” Harbaugh told reporters at a press conference.
“‘I, do you know those people?’” Harbaugh asked.
“‘No, don’t know them.’ And that was all he said.”
Harbaugh said his former coach never publicized his charitable acts; the Chargers coach witnessed them firsthand. Harbaugh called Ditka a “great man.”
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Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson called Ditka the organization’s gold standard .
“I just want to start off extending my condolences to the Ditka family. Sad news here this morning, obviously. As far as I’m concerned, coach Ditka is the gold standard in terms of this place. He’s a legend around here, as a player, as a coach. His impact is still being felt to this day and as the head coach of the Bears,” Johnson said at a press conference.
“I feel humbled to be in that same chair that he was once in. It’s a sad day just hearing he is passing on, he’s in our thoughts and prayers.”
Several other NFL coaches opened their Friday news conferences by acknowledging Ditka’s death and offering condolences to his family.
Ditka won Super Bowls as a player and assistant coach with the Dallas Cowboys and as head coach of the Bears.
A pioneer of the modern receiving tight end position, Ditka revolutionized the role after the Bears drafted him in 1961. He later became the first tight end inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Ditka’s illustrious career and numerous accolades speak for themselves, but his stories and lasting impact will be remembered for generations.
