Chicago Bears: Top 25 players in franchise history

7. TE/HC Mike Ditka

Where do I start with one of the most iconic names and faces in the history of Chicago sports? The man, the myth and the legend Mike Ditka could truly do it all.

He is one of the most talented tight ends to ever play the game, sure. But, Ditka will also go down as one of the more memorable coaches in NFL history. Nowadays, he has been busy as a media personality and analyst. It still entertains me that he continues to pick the Bears in most situations, even when they are a clear underdog.

Ditka came into the NFL as a 21-year-old kid from Pennsylvania. He had played for his hometown Pittsburgh Panthers and made a great enough impact in college to be selected as the fifth guy off the board in the 1961 NFL Draft.

Playing for the Bears for six seasons, Ditka earned All-Pro status five straight times as well as appearing in five straight Pro Bowls. He went on to play for the Eagles and Cowboys before transitioning into coaching with Dallas.

Ditka spent over a decade as an assistant for the Cowboys before returning to Chicago in 1982 to be their head coach. Just three seasons in, he found himself at the pinnacle when his dominant Bears won it all.

There may never be a more legendary name in the history of the Bears franchise. Ditka’s number 89 has since been retired and “Da Coach” finds himself in both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame.