Mike Ditka Remembered by Trump Following His Passing
Former President Donald Trump reflected on the life of Mike Ditka, the iconic Chicago Bears coach, after learning of his death on Friday. Trump described Ditka as a “winner” and a steadfast supporter.
“He was a great guy. He was with me all the way. He was tough,” Trump remarked.
Ditka, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a tight end and later led the Bears to a Super Bowl title, passed away at the age of 86, as confirmed by his family on Friday morning. The Bears organization also released a statement honoring his extensive contributions to the team.
Trump mentioned that the news of Ditka’s death was new to him during their conversation.
“That’s a sad one. You’re just telling me that now for the first time,” he said.
“Wow. He was great. He was great. He was a big supporter of mine,” Trump went on. “Yeah, no, he was a winner. He was a tough cookie. He was great.”
Ditka had publicly supported Trump during the 2016 presidential election. While he opted not to speak at the Republican National Convention, he did express agreement with Trump’s viewpoints on various issues.
“Coach Ditka, I really appreciate everything you’ve said about me; you are a winner. A real winner,” Trump conveyed to Ditka.
Likewise, Ditka acknowledged Trump’s sentiments, stating, “Everything you say about things, about the country, I agree with your opinions. You resonate with my kind of people. I believe in what you say wholeheartedly.”
Affectionately known as “Iron Mike” and “Da Coach,” Ditka was a championship player and coach with the Bears. He was chosen fifth overall in the 1961 NFL draft after an impressive college career at the University of Pittsburgh, earning NFL Rookie of the Year honors that same year by accumulating 1,076 receiving yards and catching 12 touchdowns. He made the Pro Bowl in each of his first five seasons and played a key role in securing the 1963 NFL championship for Chicago.
Throughout his 12-year NFL career, Ditka played for the Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, and Dallas Cowboys, wrapping up with overall stats of 427 receptions for 5,812 yards and 43 touchdowns. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988.
After returning to the Bears as their head coach in 1982, Ditka guided the team through a historic championship season in 1985. That season, the Bears won 18 out of 19 games, including playoffs, defeating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX in January 1986. He received the NFL Coach of the Year award in both 1985 and 1988.
