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Michael Keller Ditka (born Michael Dyczko; October 18, 1939) is an American former football player, coach, and television commentator.
- 43
- Pittsburgh (1958–1960)
- 5,812
Mike Ditka, the No. 1 draft pick of the Chicago Bears in 1961, introduced a new dimension to the tight end position that once was viewed primarily as an assignment for a tough, talented blocker. Ditka proved to be a superior blocker, but he also became one of the first tight ends to catch a large number of passes.
May 3, 2024 · Mike Ditka (born October 18, 1939, Carnegie, Pennsylvania, U.S.) is an American gridiron football player and head coach. In the 1960s and early ’70s he proved himself one of professional football’s greatest tight ends, using his talent for catching passes to revolutionize his position.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
- Bryan Deardo
- Local trailblazer. Ditka was first on the lengthy list of players from Aliquippa, Pennsylvania (located just outside of Pittsburgh) to make it to the NFL.
- Tight end pioneer. Ditka helped revolutionize the tight end position upon joining the Bears in 1961. As a rookie, he became the first tight end in league history to record over 1,000 receiving yards in a season.
- Career reprieve in Dallas. Injuries began to slow down Ditka in 1966, his final year with the Bears. He then endured two rocky seasons with the Eagles before he received a call from Hall of Fame coach Tom Landry prior to the start of the 1969 season.
- Ditka's hat trick. Ditka became the first person to win a Super Bowl as a player, an assistant coach and as a head coach. After hanging up his cleats in 1972, Ditka immediately joined Landry's staff as a special teams/receivers coach.
Checkout the latest stats for Mike Ditka. Get info about his position, age, height, weight, college, draft, and more on Pro-football-reference.com.
- October 18, 1939
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Oct 27, 2022 · Mike Ditka personified the toughness and grit of football as a player and coach who won championships in both capacities. This is his story.
Jul 10, 2021 · It was 22 years before the celebrated 1985 season when Mike Ditka first helped make the Bears the best team in the NFL. On Sunday, Nov. 24, 1963, the nation mourned. President John F. Kennedy had...
