Fencik remembers Ditka encouraging players to share their opinions with him while also letting it be known he was not operating a democracy.
“You could be very frank with Mike,” Fencik said. “I was one of the captains, and we would get together once a week up in his office. He would give us his views on a number of items and if there was anything that we wanted to bring up he was listening as well. But it was always about, ‘these are the decisions I’m making that are best for the team, and whether you agree or disagree, I don’t care because I’m the head coach.'”
Ditka guided one of the most dominant teams in NFL history, the famed 1985 Bears, to a 15-1 record. The team blanked the New York Giants (21-0) and Los Angeles Rams (24-0) in the playoffs before crushing the New England Patriots 46-10 in the Super Bowl.
Ditka is the only individual in the NFL’s modern era to win a league title with the same team as both a player (1963) and head coach (1985).
“He always had that saying ‘ACE,’ and it stood for attitude, character and enthusiasm,” said former Bears guard Tom Thayer, who played for Ditka from 1985-92. “When he said it to us, I believed it. And the further I get removed from it, I believe it even more. I think it’s a really important way to go through life. If you don’t have the right attitude, the right character, the right enthusiasm, it’s going to be almost impossible to do anything well.”
Ditka later served as head coach of the New Orleans Saints from 1997-99.
In 2013 at halftime of a Monday night game against the Cowboys, Ditka became the 14th player in Bears history to have his jersey number retired.
“It’s the consummation of a career,” Ditka said at the time. “It’s one of the greatest things you could be honored with. When you mention [Gale] Sayers and [Dick] Butkus and some of the guys who have had their jerseys retired, it’s an unbelievable group of men and great players in the NFL and for the Chicago Bears. It’s a tremendous honor.”
Ditka was born as Michael Keller Dyczko Oct. 18, 1939, in Carnegie, Pa., near Pittsburgh, and grew up in nearby Aliquippa. His surname was difficult to pronounce, so the family changed it to Ditka.
Ditka was a three-sport star at Aliquippa High School as well as the University of Pittsburgh, playing football, basketball and baseball. He headed to college planning to become a dentist. In addition to lining up at tight end at Pittsburgh, Ditka also played linebacker, defensive end and punter. In addition, he was an intramural wrestling champion.
Following his playing and coaching careers, Ditka served as a popular television broadcaster for NBC, CBS and ESPN. He also appeared regularly on Chicago sports radio stations. On one infamous segment while still coaching the Bears, he challenged a caller to a fight, giving the man the address to Halas Hall and vowing to “whip your ass.”
Ditka appeared in numerous TV shows—usually as himself—including “Cheers,” “According to Jim,” “L.A. Law,” “Saturday Night Live” and “3rd Rock from the Sun.” He also co-starred in the movie “Kicking & Screaming,” appearing opposite Will Ferrell as a youth soccer coach.
“Da Coach” appeared in numerous commercials, operated his own Mike Ditka restaurants and sold a slew of products with his name on it, including cigars, sausages and wine.
Ditka also was a strong supporter of “Gridiron Greats,” an organization that generates funds for retired players in need of money or medical assistance, as well as Misericordia Heart of Mercy in Chicago, Maryville Academy in Des Plaines and Little City in Palatine.
“He was larger than life,” said former Bears receiver Tom Waddle, who played for Ditka from 1989-92. “He was an icon as a coach. He’s a Hall of Fame player. To have someone like Mike be front and center for the charter franchise, it felt like the perfect marriage for as long as it lasted. I think the city appreciated Mike. He wore his emotions on his sleeve. He told you what he thought. Honesty and loyalty was a thing as a player for him. You knew if you provided that for him or you were willing to show him honesty and loyalty, you were going to get it back tenfold.
“There are others who played for him longer, knew him better and have better stories than me. But for me it’s meaningful because he’s the only guy in the league that really wanted to give me a chance. I’m 59 years old, and I wouldn’t have been able to live the blessed life I’ve lived without him believing in me and giving me the opportunity to live my dream. That’s why I’m so thankful to him.”
