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- calendar_today October 9, 2026
Fans Gather at Soldier Field to Remember 'Da Coach'
Chicago Bears fans across the city mourned the loss of Mike Ditka on Friday, following the announcement of the former Bears coach’s death. Ditka, often referred to as 'Da Coach,' was remembered as a transformative figure who brought Chicago sports fans together and intensified the rivalry with the Green Bay Packers. The news broke just days before the Bears were set to face the Packers, a rivalry Ditka notably helped to shape and energize both as a player from 1961 to 1966 and as head coach for a decade starting in 1982.
Personal Memories from Bears Fans
Christopher Bartolini, reflecting on Ditka’s legacy, recalled childhood memories of his South Side neighborhood gathering around the television for Bears games. Even when broadcasts were blacked out in Chicago, they found ways to watch. Bartolini was reminded of Ditka’s commanding and passionate presence, noting, “He didn’t back down to anything.” He credited Ditka’s attitude and fiery leadership as inspirational qualities that more people could emulate in their lives.
Uniting Chicago Through Sports
Rob Raczyk, a Bears fan of fifty years, said Ditka did more than coach a Super Bowl-winning team—he brought unity to Chicago sports fans. “He was the first guy who taught Chicago fans to hate Green Bay,” Raczyk said, referencing Ditka’s outspoken support of the Bears-Packers rivalry. The 1985 Super Bowl victory under Ditka, combined with his rousing rivalry rhetoric, resonated throughout the city and across various sports loyalties, with Raczyk noting, “Cubs and Sox fans don’t get along, but everyone hates the Packers. It’s our unifying factor.”
Impact Beyond Chicago Sports
The news of Ditka’s passing impacted not just local fans, but visitors as well. Andy Estrada and Johnny Montes, residents of Los Angeles, happened to be in Chicago for the rivalry game. Estrada, a Packers supporter, respected Ditka’s legendary status, describing Bears vs. Packers as “sort of like a holiday.” Montes, recalling attending the Super Bowl XX win as a child, said, “When you think of the NFL, you think Mike Ditka.”
Memorabilia and Fan Tributes
Don Wachter, known as Bearman, owns a significant collection of Bears memorabilia, including a wood-cut sign that once sat on Ditka’s desk and vintage clothing matching his iconic sideline outfits. Wachter emphasized Ditka’s approachable demeanor with fans, despite his intense reputation, and placed him among the greats of Bears history: “He epitomized Chicago. There’s nobody else but Da Coach.”
Ditka’s Lasting Legacy
Eddy Bastardo, another dedicated fan, stopped by the Walter Payton statue at Soldier Field after hearing the news. For Bastardo, current Bears coach Ben Johnson is the first since Ditka to display a spark reminiscent of the coach’s iconic presence. With the Bears facing the Packers shortly after Ditka’s death, Bastardo drew parallels to the close timing with Walter Payton’s passing in 1999, saying, “It’s great for a Bears fan to see a coach buy into the rivalry like that. We’re gonna do this one for Ditka.”
Remembering a Chicago Legend
Mike Ditka’s significance in the world of NFL coaching, and particularly his impact as a Bears coach, lives on in the stories, artifacts, and traditions he inspired. His role in shaping the Bears' legacy, uniting Chicago sports fans, and stoking the rivalry with the Green Bay Packers remains central to how generations of fans remember 'Da Coach.'
Source: chicago.suntimes.com.
