Chicago Bears honor Mike Ditka following his death

The Chicago Bears held a tribute for legendary coach and Hall of Fame player Mike Ditka during their Thursday Night Football game against the New England Patriots at Soldier Field. The event marked the team’s first home game since Ditka passed away on October 9, 2026, at the age of 86.

To honor the former coach, the organization distributed fake mustaches to fans and provided headbands styled after Ditka’s signature sweater vests to the first 10,000 attendees. The team also featured a graphic of a football with Ditka’s No. 89 stenciled on the northwest sideline and players wore commemorative patches on their jerseys.

Ditka, who died of natural causes, is widely remembered for his eleven seasons as the Bears' head coach and his career as a Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end. A moment of silence was held during the game to recognize his contributions to the franchise.