Iron Mike Ditka moved back to Chicago nearly two years ago after selling his Florida residence. As Da Coach likes to tell friends who inquire why the move: “Chicago is my home!”
There was a recent story in The Athletic about Ditka being back in the Windy City. Longtime NFL & Bears reporter Dan Pompei wrote a terrific piece. Ditka turns 87 next month (October 18) and the reporter asked him what he should tell folks who inquire about Da Coach. Ditka replied: “Tell them I’m good.”
Ditka doesn’t get around much anymore, according to Pompei, but he still has a full head of hair combed back the way we all remember it. His forearms remain thick which is a holdover from his dozen years (1961-72) playing tight end in the league.
The Pro Football Hall of Famer is doing “good”, especially when you consider he has survived several hip replacements, a couple of strokes, and two heart attacks. The first attack occurred in 1988 when he was coaching the Bears. He returned to his duties 11 days after being hospitalized. He still watches his Bears play on the weekends…the same Bears who drafted him out of Pitt in 1961 and the same Bears he coached from 1982-92.
Other Bears alumni go to visit their brother Mike and his longtime wife Diana in their Chicago condo. The players include Dan Hampton, Gary Fencik, Mike Singletary, and Keith Van Horne. The players tell stories and laugh like we all do whenever we get together.
Jim McMahon is another Ditka visitor. His Bears teammate love to remind the coach about the time he sent McMahon home after practice with film to study a new offensive concept. The next day, Ditka asked the free-spirited quarterback if the film helped him understand the new offense. “Yes”, McMahon replied. Ditka exploded at that response because the film container intentionally had been empty when given to him. It is a funny story now , but not so much so during a win-or-else regular season campaign.
Only seven Bears alumni are older than Ditka, according to The Athletic. Johnny Morris is the oldest at 91 and the others are Chuck Howley (90), Maury Youman (89), Bob Wetoska (89), Justin Rowland (89), Richie Peitibon (88), and Richard Norman (88).
Yes, Mike Ditka is back in Chicago, the same city that has won only one Super Bowl. That sole title was captured during the magical 1985 season when Da Coach was in charge. Some things just feel right!
