@cnn: Mike Ditka, who won NFL titles as a player and coach with the Chicago Bears, has died. He was 86. Ditka's family announced the death on Friday in a statement. Nicknamed "Iron Mike" as a player, Ditka helped revolutionize the tight-end position, then moved to the sidelines and took over as Chicago's coach. His 1985 team featured one of the game's most dominant defenses ever. It also had enough outsized personalities to record a rap video, "The Super Bowl Shuffle," and back up their boasting in the championship game three months later. After retiring as a coach, Ditka became a restaurateur, pitchman and TV personality, as well as a forceful advocate for improved medical and retirement benefits for former players. 📸: Focus on Sport/Getty Images; Phil Sandlin/AP #MikeDitka

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Friday 09 October 2026 16:06:54 GMT