Benztown Produces Tribute to NFL Legend Mike Ditka

RADIO ONLINE | Friday, October 9, 2026 | 2:08pm CT

Benztown Tribute to Mike Ditka

Benztown has produced an audio tribute honoring legendary NFL player and coach Mike Ditka, who died Friday, October 9, at age 86. The tribute was voiced by Darren Silva and written and produced by Thomas Green.

Ditka, one of professional football's most recognizable personalities, was best known for leading the Chicago Bears to victory in Super Bowl XX following the 1985 season. His fiery coaching style, trademark mustache and relentless competitive spirit earned him the nicknames "Iron Mike" and "Da Coach."

Born October 18, 1939, in Carnegie, PA, and raised in nearby Aliquippa, Ditka played college football at the University of Pittsburgh before being selected by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 1961 NFL Draft.

He made an immediate impact, earning NFL Rookie of the Year honors and becoming one of the league's first tight ends to emerge as a major receiving threat. During his playing career with the Bears, Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys, Ditka earned five Pro Bowl selections and won NFL championships with Chicago in 1963 and Dallas in Super Bowl VI following the 1971 season.

Ditka retired as a player after the 1972 season and began his coaching career as an assistant with the Cowboys under Tom Landry. He returned to Chicago as head coach in 1982, eventually building one of the most celebrated teams in NFL history.

The 1985 Bears finished the regular season 15-1 before dominating the playoffs and defeating the New England Patriots 46-10 in Super Bowl XX. The team's combination of defensive dominance and colorful personalities made it a cultural phenomenon, with Ditka at the center of the attention.

Ditka coached the Bears through the 1992 season and later served as head coach of the New Orleans Saints from 1997-1999. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988, becoming the first tight end to receive the honor.

Beyond coaching, Ditka became a familiar presence in sports broadcasting, working as an NFL analyst for CBS, NBC and ESPN. He also appeared on Chicago sports radio, including WMVP-AM, and became a pop culture figure through the recurring "Da Bears" sketches on NBC's "Saturday Night Live."

His No. 89 jersey was retired by the Chicago Bears in 2013, further recognizing his contributions to the franchise as both a player and coach.

Benztown's audio tribute commemorates Ditka's career and legacy, providing radio stations with a remembrance of one of professional football's most enduring personalities.

Listen to the audio tribute here.