Mike Ditka

Mike Ditka - Football Players, Facts and Childhood

Violet FieldHome › AmericanMike DitkaOctober 18, 19391,423 views

0 based on 0 rates
Mike Ditka Biography Stories 

Mike Ditka's Personal Details

Mike Ditka is a former American football NFL player coach and TV commentator

InformationDetail
BirthdayOctober 18, 1939
NationalityAmerican
FamousSportspersons, Coaches, American Football Players, Football Players, Nfl Coach
SpousesDiana Ditka (m. 1977), Marge Ditka (m. 1961–1973)
SiblingsAshton Ditka, David Ditka, Mary Ann Ditka
Known asMichael Keller Ditka, Michael Dyczko
ChildrensMark Ditka, Matt Ditka, Megan Ditka, Mike Ditka III
Universities
  • University of Pittsburgh
Birth PlaceCarnegie
Height191
GenderMale
FatherMike Ditka Sr.
MotherCharlotte Ditka
Net Worth$30 million as of Apr 12,2017
Sun SignLibra
Born inCarnegie
Famous asAmerican Football Player, NFL Coach

// Famous Football Players

Brandon Burlsworth

Brandon Burlsworth

Brandon Burlsworth was a football player who played for the Arkansas Razorbacks. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.

Vince Papale

Vince Papale

Vince Papale is a former professional American football player. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.

Demetress Bell

Demetress Bell

Demetress Bell is a former American football offensive tackle, who played for Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.

Mike Ditka's photo

Who is Mike Ditka?

Many truisms can be used to define Mike Ditka. He is known for being callous, strong and legendary. Although he grew up in a small working-class family, he would use these humbling everyday experiences as a motivator to become not only a Bears legend, but one of the most unforgettable sport icons of the United States of America. As a young boy, he played every sport he could, topping in every single one of them. However, he realized that his true passion was football - a sport that he not only loved but wished to build a career in. He soon went on to make a mark in football when he was selected in the first-round draft pick. Additionally, he gave a new life and meaning to the tight end position; one that was viewed primarily as a task for a tough, rugged blocker. Throughout his early career, he garnered respectable numbers for his position and became one of the most valuable players with the Bears. He soon became one of the two people who went on to win the NFL title as a player and also as a coach. He is currently the only player in NFL history to win a tournament with the same team as player and a head coach.

Childhood & Early Life

Michael Keller Ditka, Jr. also known as Michael Dyczko was born on October 18, 1938 to Mike Sr. and Charlotte in Carnegie, Pennsylvania. He is the oldest of the four children born to the couple. He was brought up in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania.

He studied at Titus School and Aliquippa High School. He had hoped to obtain a football scholarship, which he eventually did. He was accepted at universities such as Notre Dame, Penn State and University of Pittsburgh. He finally made a choice and decided to play for the University of Pittsburgh from 1958 to 1960. In college, he was considered one of the best tight-ends.

In his senior year, he was selected in the College Football All-America Team.

Career

In his first season with the Chicago Bears, in 1961, he hit it big with 58 receptions, introducing a new angle to the tight end position. His grand success earned him a number of accolades. He continued to play with the team for the next five years.

In 1963, he entered the NFL championship team and placed first among the tight ends and fourth overall in Bears’ history. Four years later, he was drafted to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he played for only two seasons.

In 1969, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys, where the highlight was the 24-3 victory over the Miami Dolphins during the Super Bowl VI. He spent four seasons with this team.

He retired from playing professional football in 1972 and was immediately taken on board by the Dallas Cowboys as assistant coach, where he was assigned to work under the head coach - Tom Landry.

He served as the assistant coach for nine seasons. Under his leadership, the team made to the playoffs eight times, six division titles and three NFC championships.

His last game with the Cowboys was the 1981 season. In 1982, he was recruited by the Chicago Bears as the head coach for the campaign. By his third season as coach, he had already led the Bears to the NFC Championship Game, where they were eventually ousted by the San Francisco 49ers.

One of the biggest events in Ditka’s life occurred on January 26, 1986, when his team beat New England Patriots to 46-10 at the Superbowl XX. Under his leadership, the Bears went on to win the Central Division title consecutively for the next two years.

Towards the end of the 1980s, the Bears started to lose a few matches and eventually finished the last season of the decade with a meager 6-10. They attempted to make a wild card entry in 1991, but were eliminated in the early rounds. The following year, Ditka was fired as head coach.

Thereafter, he took up a job with NBC, where he worked as an analyst on NFL Live for a brief period of time.

In 1997, he coached the New Orleans Saints, which he believed were the ‘three worst years’ of his life. Despite the team pinning high hopes on Ditka, his overall record with the Saints was only 15-33.

He was the studio analyst for the 2000-2001 seasons on ‘The NFL Today’ with CBS Sports.

In 2005, he appeared in the comedy film, ‘Kicking & Screaming’ as a league soccer coach, opposite Will Ferrell.

In 2007, he served as a color commentator, alongside Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg, for ‘Monday Night Football’ on ESPN. The same year, he worked with the Geneva Hospitality and X Management to form ‘Mike Ditka Resorts’ and a chain of restaurants called ‘Ditka’s’.

In 2012, he started his own wine production business along with Teriato Wines. The first collection of wines was released in the fall of 2012. The same year, Bill Teriato and Ditka got together to produce their own line of cigars as well.

In 2013, he partnered with Vienna Beef to create ‘Ditka Sausages’, a brand of sausages that is sold to various restaurants in the Chicago land area.

He is currently a commentator on ESPN’s ‘NFL Live’ and ‘Sunday NFL Countdown’.

Awards & Achievements

In 1985 and 1988, he was awarded the ‘NFL Coach of the Year’ title.

He also became the first ever football tight end to be inducted into the ‘Pro Football Hall of Fame’, in 1988.

He is listed as one of the ’100 Greatest Football Players’ in ‘The Sporting News’ list, in 1999.

He was inducted into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame, in 2001.

He was inducted into the ESPN Chicago Hall of Fame along with Michael Jordan, Ernie Banks and Dick Butkus, in 2011.

Personal Life & Legacy

He married Marge with whom he has four children. He divorced her in 1973 and married his second wife, Diana four years later.

He is believed to be extremely short-tempered and was even arrested and found guilty of DWI after getting back from a match in San Francisco.

He suffered from a heart attack earlier and even suffered from a minor stroke in November, 2012.

Trivia

This legendary American football player and head coach of the ‘Dallas Cowboys’, ‘Chicago Bears’ and ‘New Orleans Saints’, threw a chewing gum at a San Francisco 49ers devotee, who booed him.

// Famous Coaches

Jürgen Klopp

Jürgen Klopp

Jürgen Klopp is a German football manager, and a former professional football player. Check out this biography to know more about his childhood, family, personal life, etc.

David Moyes

David Moyes

David Moyes is a Scottish professional football coach and former player. Check out this biography to know about his birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.

Bill Bowerman

Bill Bowerman

Bill Bowerman was an American track and field coach, winner of the Oxford Cup and co-founder of the Nike, Inc. Check out this biography to get detailed information on his life.

Mike Ditka's awards

YearNameAward

Other

1988Pro Football Weekly NFL Coach of Year
1985UPI NFL Coach of Year
1988UPI NFL Coach of Year
1961UPI NFL-NFC Rookie of Year
01985 - AP NFL Coach of Year
0 1988 - AP NFL Coach of Year
0 1985 - Sporting News NFL Coach of Year

Mike Ditka biography timelines

  • // 18th Oct 1938
    Michael Keller Ditka, Jr. also known as Michael Dyczko was born on October 18, 1938 to Mike Sr. and Charlotte in Carnegie, Pennsylvania. He is the oldest of the four children born to the couple. He was brought up in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania.
  • // 1958 To 1960
    He studied at Titus School and Aliquippa High School. He had hoped to obtain a football scholarship, which he eventually did. He was accepted at universities such as Notre Dame, Penn State and University of Pittsburgh. He finally made a choice and decided to play for the University of Pittsburgh from 1958 to 1960. In college, he was considered one of the best tight-ends.
  • // 1961
    In his first season with the Chicago Bears, in 1961, he hit it big with 58 receptions, introducing a new angle to the tight end position. His grand success earned him a number of accolades. He continued to play with the team for the next five years.
  • // 1963
    In 1963, he entered the NFL championship team and placed first among the tight ends and fourth overall in Bears’ history. Four years later, he was drafted to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he played for only two seasons.
  • // 1969
    In 1969, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys, where the highlight was the 24-3 victory over the Miami Dolphins during the Super Bowl VI. He spent four seasons with this team.
  • // 1972
    He retired from playing professional football in 1972 and was immediately taken on board by the Dallas Cowboys as assistant coach, where he was assigned to work under the head coach - Tom Landry.
  • // 1973
    He married Marge with whom he has four children. He divorced her in 1973 and married his second wife, Diana four years later.
  • // 1981 To 1982
    His last game with the Cowboys was the 1981 season. In 1982, he was recruited by the Chicago Bears as the head coach for the campaign. By his third season as coach, he had already led the Bears to the NFC Championship Game, where they were eventually ousted by the San Francisco 49ers.
  • // 1985 To 1988
    In 1985 and 1988, he was awarded the ‘NFL Coach of the Year’ title.
  • // 26th Jan 1986
    One of the biggest events in Ditka’s life occurred on January 26, 1986, when his team beat New England Patriots to 46-10 at the Superbowl XX. Under his leadership, the Bears went on to win the Central Division title consecutively for the next two years.
  • // 1988
    He also became the first ever football tight end to be inducted into the ‘Pro Football Hall of Fame’, in 1988.
  • // 1991
    Towards the end of the 1980s, the Bears started to lose a few matches and eventually finished the last season of the decade with a meager 6-10. They attempted to make a wild card entry in 1991, but were eliminated in the early rounds. The following year, Ditka was fired as head coach.
  • // 1997
    In 1997, he coached the New Orleans Saints, which he believed were the ‘three worst years’ of his life. Despite the team pinning high hopes on Ditka, his overall record with the Saints was only 15-33.
  • // 1999
    He is listed as one of the ’100 Greatest Football Players’ in ‘The Sporting News’ list, in 1999.
  • // 2000 To 2001
    He was the studio analyst for the 2000-2001 seasons on ‘The NFL Today’ with CBS Sports.
  • // 2001
    He was inducted into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame, in 2001.
  • // 2005
    In 2005, he appeared in the comedy film, ‘Kicking & Screaming’ as a league soccer coach, opposite Will Ferrell.
  • // 2007
    In 2007, he served as a color commentator, alongside Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg, for ‘Monday Night Football’ on ESPN. The same year, he worked with the Geneva Hospitality and X Management to form ‘Mike Ditka Resorts’ and a chain of restaurants called ‘Ditka’s’.
  • // 2011
    He was inducted into the ESPN Chicago Hall of Fame along with Michael Jordan, Ernie Banks and Dick Butkus, in 2011.
  • // 2012
    In 2012, he started his own wine production business along with Teriato Wines. The first collection of wines was released in the fall of 2012. The same year, Bill Teriato and Ditka got together to produce their own line of cigars as well.
  • // 2012
    He suffered from a heart attack earlier and even suffered from a minor stroke in November, 2012.
  • // 2013
    In 2013, he partnered with Vienna Beef to create ‘Ditka Sausages’, a brand of sausages that is sold to various restaurants in the Chicago land area.

// Famous Sportspersons

Ted Williams

Ted Williams

Ted Williams was an American baseball player. Read this biography to learn more about his profile, childhood, life and timeline.

Jürgen Klopp

Jürgen Klopp

Jürgen Klopp is a German football manager, and a former professional football player. Check out this biography to know more about his childhood, family, personal life, etc.

Yao Ming

Yao Ming

Yao Ming is a retired Chinese basketball player who played for Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.

Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar

Brock Edward Lesnar is a popular American wrestler, American football player, as well as a martial artist. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and other facts about his life.

Brandon Burlsworth

Brandon Burlsworth

Brandon Burlsworth was a football player who played for the Arkansas Razorbacks. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.

Whitney Bjerken

Whitney Bjerken

Check out all that you wanted to know about Whitney Bjerken, the famous gymnast & YouTuber; her birthday, her family and personal life, fun trivia facts and more.

Mike Ditka's FAQ

  • What is Mike Ditka birthday?

    Mike Ditka was born at 1939-10-18

  • Where is Mike Ditka's birth place?

    Mike Ditka was born in Carnegie

  • What is Mike Ditka nationalities?

    Mike Ditka's nationalities is American

  • Who is Mike Ditka spouses?

    Mike Ditka's spouses is Diana Ditka (m. 1977), Marge Ditka (m. 1961–1973)

  • Who is Mike Ditka siblings?

    Mike Ditka's siblings is Ashton Ditka, David Ditka, Mary Ann Ditka

  • Who is Mike Ditka childrens?

    Mike Ditka's childrens is Mark Ditka, Matt Ditka, Megan Ditka, Mike Ditka III

  • What was Mike Ditka universities?

    Mike Ditka studied at University of Pittsburgh

  • How tall is Mike Ditka?

    Mike Ditka's height is 191

  • Who is Mike Ditka's father?

    Mike Ditka's father is Mike Ditka Sr.

  • Who is Mike Ditka's mother?

    Mike Ditka's mother is Charlotte Ditka

  • What is Mike Ditka's sun sign?

    Mike Ditka is Libra

  • How famous is Mike Ditka?

    Mike Ditka is famouse as American Football Player, NFL Coach