Mike Ditka: key obituary facts
Is Mike Ditka dead? Yes. Mike Ditka died on October 9, 2026, at age 86.
Cause of death: Mike Ditka's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Mike Ditka known for?
He was an American football player, coach, and television commentator (born 1939).
More about Mike Ditka
Born: 18 October 1939.
Place of birth: Carnegie.
Gender: male.
Occupation: television presenter, baseball player, American football player, businessperson, American football coach, basketball player, sports journalist, athlete.
Nationality: United States.
Education: Aliquippa Senior High School, University of Pittsburgh.
Awards: Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Career began: 1961.
Also known as: Michael Ditka, Michael Keller Ditka, Michael Dyczko, Iron Mike.
Mike Ditka, an American football player and coach associated with the Chicago Bears, died October 9, 2026, aged 86.
Born in Carnegie, Pennsylvania, he was named Michael Dyczko at birth and became known professionally as Michael Keller Ditka. He played tight end in the NFL for Chicago, Philadelphia and Dallas, beginning his career in 1961.
In his rookie season, he was named UPI NFL Rookie of the Year and became the first tight end to record 1,000 receiving yards. Across his playing career he earned five Pro Bowl selections and six All-Pro honors. Ditka won an NFL championship with the Bears in 1963 and was part of three Super Bowl-winning teams: as a player with Dallas in Super Bowl VI, as an assistant coach with the Cowboys in Super Bowl XII, and as head coach of the Bears in Super Bowl XX. He led Chicago from 1982 to 1992, earning AP and UPI NFL Coach of the Year honors in 1985 and 1988, and later coached the New Orleans Saints from 1997 to 1999. His career also included television commentary. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1986 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988, and was named to the NFL’s 75th- and 100th-anniversary all-time teams.