Legendary coach, Hall of Fame TE Mike Ditka dies at age 86 - ESPN

Mike Ditka, the legendary former Chicago Bears coach and first tight end ever inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, has died at the age of 86, his family announced Friday.

Ditka rose to national prominence leading the 1985 Bears, a team that boasted arguably the greatest defense in NFL history, to the franchise's only Super Bowl title.

«It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mike Ditka,» his family said in a statement. «While the world knew Mike as a Hall of Fame football player, legendary coach, and leader of the Chicago Bears' Super Bowl XX championship team, we knew him as the heart of our family.

»Mike will be missed beyond measure and remembered forever."

No cause of death was announced.

Known for his fiery temper, Ditka often clashed with members of the 1985 team, including quarterback Jim McMahon and defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan, but the Bears cruised to a 15-1 regular-season record and easily defeated the New England Patriots 46-10 in Super Bowl XX.

Hired by his former coach and Bears founder George Halas in 1982, Ditka led the Bears to the playoffs seven times in his 11 seasons and reached the NFC Championship Game on three occasions.

The fifth overall pick of the 1961 NFL draft by the Bears, Ditka won Rookie of the Year after becoming the first tight end to surpass 1,000 receiving yards. He played six years for the Bears, two for the Philadelphia Eagles and four for the Dallas Cowboys. Ditka was a member of the Bears' 1963 NFL championship team and the Cowboys' squad that won Super Bowl VI.

«Mike's impact on the Chicago Bears organization, over decades as a player, coach, and proud icon and ambassador for our organization, is