Chicago Bears honor Mike Ditka with jersey patches

The Chicago Bears honored the legacy of Hall of Fame tight end and coach Mike Ditka during their recent game against the Atlanta Falcons. To mark what would have been Ditka’s 87th birthday, the team wore special No. 89 patches on their jerseys.

Ditka, who passed away at age 86 on October 9, was a transformative figure for the franchise. He was selected fifth overall in the 1961 NFL Draft and played a key role in the 1963 championship season. He later returned to lead the organization as a head coach, most notably during the dominant 1985 season.

Known as ‘Da Coach,’ Ditka is credited with revolutionizing the tight end position by evolving it from a pure blocking role into a dynamic receiving threat. His career included five consecutive Pro Bowl selections and a Pro Football Hall of Fame induction.