The Bears were never a good team before he became their coach. Within a few years, they were the best team in the league. I’m not saying that Ditka was the reason (notably, in 1985 after winning the Super Bowl, the defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan was carried off the field by players, along with Ditka), but it’s where he gets his coaching acclaim. He also coached the Saints, and had 3 losing seasons there.
His career record was 121-95 in 14 seasons; 6-6 in the playoffs.
So, perhaps a good coach, but by no means a great coach. His main success, as @Moriarty noted, was with the Bears of Walter Payton, Jim McMahon, and Mike Singletary.
And then, in barely a heartbeat, they were not anymore.
He wasn’t a very great executive, either. Remember his trading every draft pick in 1999 to move up to grab Ricky Williams?
He gave up 8 picks in all, including 2 first-rounders (1999 and 2000) to be able to move up 7 draft spots.
This will have a particular resonance with British American Football fans. The Bears were the first team everyone noticed when Channel4 started showing games back in the early 80’s. What with William Perry, Walter Payton etc. and Mr. Ditka of course. Winning the Superbowl in 85 was pretty much the first time a big UK audience had been immersed in the game…
RIP.
The NFL is weird that way. The 85 Bears looked like they should have been the start of a dynasty. Then the 86 Giants looked like they should have been a dynasty. At least the Giants won 5 years later with some of the same players.
You have to admit, though, that that team was culturally iconic at the time.
“The Fridge” is one of the best nick-names of all time.
The Super Bowl shuffle, as bad as it was, undoubtedly helped.
(This came out before the game was played)
Wilfredo Gomez died. He didn’t get the press that contemporary heavyweights did but he was a hell of a boxer.
Advocate for better representation for disabled people in film
his character, like the actor, had cerebral palsy.
66 points gone to waste.
Big Brother contestant Amber Siyavus has died at 46.
Pope Leo has lung cancer. Dopers furiously scribble notes for 2027.
I am bitterly disappointed in all my picks except Scott Adams.
Australian actor Gary Waddell. I didn’t know him until I saw this item in the Guardian, but I thought I might as well post him here.
Apollo has given up 3 points.
Michael Forest, who played an alien motorcyclist on an episode of Twilight Zone, rides off into the good night.
Before clicking the link and from your calling him Apollo I recognized him from that ST:TOS episode. I don’t think I ever saw him in The Twilight Zone.
I’m not much of a Trekkie but I think that episode was called Who Mourns for Adonis…? Something like that.
Added: I looked it up. Yes it’s Who Mourns for Adonais. Typo fixed.
Noah Adams, long-time host of NPR’s All Things Considered, at 84.
https://www.npr.org/2026/10/18/nx-s1-5556931/noah-adams-all-things-considered-has-died
Another pointless death: