By Townhall Chicago News Staff
The Chicago Bears honored the late Mike Ditka with a stadium-wide tribute during Thursday night’s 30-24 victory over the New England Patriots at Soldier Field, the team’s first home game since the Hall of Famer’s death on Oct. 9.
Ditka, who died at age 86, coached the Bears to their lone Super Bowl championship in January 1986. Thursday’s tribute coincided with a win over the same franchise Chicago defeated in Super Bowl XX.
The team placed a commemorative logo featuring Ditka’s retired No. 89 on its sideline and on every player’s jersey as a patch. Staff members wore pins bearing the same design, according to the Bears’ website.
Before kickoff, a memorial display at the RC Cola Red Zone featured Ditka memorabilia, while a separate tribute on the main concourse showcased his Hall of Fame bust and gold jacket. A life-sized Ditka bobblehead stood outside the Miller Lite Midway for fans to photograph.
All fans entering the stadium received a stick-on mustache as a nod to Ditka’s signature look. The first 10,000 fans through the gates also received a knit headband modeled after the coach’s famous sweater. Face painters in the concourse applied stencils resembling Ditka’s face, and the Bears Pro Shop offered Ditka-inspired merchandise including t-shirts, sweaters and jerseys.
The Bears held a moment of silence before the national anthem.
During the game, former Bears center Jay Hilgenberg, a member of the Super Bowl XX championship team, participated in a tribute segment.
“Ditka loved Chicago,” Hilgenberg said. “He loved the Bears. And we all loved him. If it wasn’t for Ditka, we wouldn’t have a Super Bowl. He was the cause of the Super Bowl.”
Thousands of fans came dressed as Ditka, sporting fake and real mustaches, aviator glasses, navy sweaters and even fake cigars, according to a recap published on the team’s website. Others carried signs honoring the coach.
Ditka revolutionized the tight end position during a playing career that began with the Bears in 1961, when he was named NFL Rookie of the Year. He returned to Chicago as head coach in 1982 and compiled a 106-62 record over 11 seasons. His 1985 squad went 15-1 in the regular season before routing the Patriots 46-10 in Super Bowl XX.
The Bears improved to 5-2 on the season with Thursday’s win. The team next plays on the road in Week 8.
