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Ivory CoastChicago Bears Honor Mike Ditka at Soldier Field
The Chicago Bears paid tribute to late coach Mike Ditka with fan giveaways and uniform honors during Thursday Night Football.
Ditka Honored in Chicago
The Chicago Bears celebrated the life and career of legendary head coach Mike Ditka on Thursday night. It was the first home game the team played since Ditka passed away on Oct. 9.
Ditka spent 11 seasons coaching in Chicago and earned the nickname Da Coach along the way. The organization made sure his impact was felt all across Soldier Field from the moment people arrived for the evening.
Headbands and Mustaches for Fans
The team prepared special giveaways to remember him. The first 10,000 supporters who arrived at Soldier Field received knit headbands. These headbands were inspired by the iconic Bears sweater that Ditka made famous while coaching on the sideline.
In addition to the headbands, the Bears handed out fake mustaches to every fan in attendance. The stands quickly filled with supporters sporting the signature facial hair to pay their respects to the Chicago legend.
Tributes on the Uniforms and Clocks
Inside the building, the tributes were everywhere. All afternoon before kickoff, the analog clocks inside Soldier Field read 89:00. That was a tribute to the jersey number Ditka wore during his Hall of Fame playing career as a tight end.
Bears right guard Jonah Jackson arrived at the stadium wearing a long sleeve number 89 jersey. Current players have also been honoring the legend on the field. The team has worn a number 89 sticker on the back of their helmets since Week 5, and they added a commemorative patch over the heart of their navy jerseys for this game.
A Historic Opponent
The Chicago franchise retired Ditka's number 89 back in December 2013. Ditka was the final player to receive that honor from the Bears. Chicago has retired more jersey numbers than any other team in the NFL.
The night also featured a fitting opponent on the field. The Bears hosted the New England Patriots on Thursday Night Football. That is the exact team Ditka and his 1985 squad defeated in Super Bowl XX to capture the franchise's first Lombardi Trophy.
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