Ditka led the 1985 Chicago Bears to the only Super Bowl title in franchise history after revolutionizing the tight end position as a player.
Mike Ditka died on Friday at age 86. His family announced the passing in a statement shared by Jarrett Payton, son of Walter Payton, the running back Ditka once coached, and the news was later confirmed by multiple outlets.
"It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mike Ditka," the family said. "While the world knew Mike as a Hall of Fame football player, legendary coach, and leader of the Chicago Bears' Super Bowl XX championship team, we knew him as the heart of our family. Mike will be missed beyond measure and remembered forever."
A native of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, who played college football at Pitt, Ditka was the first tight end inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. As a rookie in 1961, he became the first tight end in NFL history to top 1,000 receiving yards in a season, and he was nicknamed "Iron Mike" during his playing days.
He later moved to the sidelines as head coach of the Bears, where his 1985 team finished the regular season 15-1 and outscored its three playoff opponents by a combined 96-10 on the way to a blowout win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX. Ditka was a fixture in the NFL for more than 50 years.