Chicago Bears draft: Top picks in franchise history

Mike Ditka, TE, 1961 1st Round (#5 overall)

If there is someone who was born to be a Bear it was Mike Ditka. Even though he left after a salary dispute with George Halas and played for the Philadelphia Eagles and later the Dallas Cowboys, and he coached for Dallas and the New Orleans Saints, in his heart Ditka was always a Bear.

As a player, Ditka revolutionized the tight end position. When he come on the scene, the tight end was a relatively new position. They were extra blockers.

Ditka changed all that.

He had great hands and ran great routes, so he was an extra receiver. As a blocker, he was great on the line as well as downfield.

In his rookie season, Ditka caught 56 passes for 1,076 yards and 12 touchdowns. That was more than a lot of wide receivers. Defensive coaches had to come up with new schemes to go against Ditka and his abilities.

In 1988, Ditka became the first tight end to be named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

It was not until his time as Chicago Bears coach that the legend of Ditka grew. He took over a rag-tag of a team, and with some great drafting, the Bears became a Super Bowl winning team.

Ditka’s teams were as loud and rowdy as he was. They had fun, and they owned the city. Ditka himself became one of the biggest pitchmen in sports. There was nothing he would say no to endorse.

To this day, Ditka is a beloved figure in Chicago. He owns restaurants and runs around town, and Chicago Bears fans worship the ground he walks on. Even snubbing the great Walter Payton in the Super Bowl did not tarnish the shine on Ditka.

With most fans, Mike Ditka can do no wrong, and he will always be loved.

Next: Samurai Mike makes his mark