President Donald Trump learned of the death of Hall of Fame coach Mike Ditka while on the South Lawn of the White House on Friday, just before departing for a trip to Syracuse.
Trump was preparing to travel north with boxing legend Mike Tyson and New York Yankees president Randy Levine when a reporter in the press pool told him the news.
“Oh, he did? He was a great guy. He was with me all the way. He was tough,” Trump said. “Mike Ditka — that’s a sad one.”
“He was great. He was a big supporter of mine, and he was a winner. He was a tough cookie.”
Ditka had supported Trump ahead of the 2016 presidential election.
A Football Legend
Ditka’s family announced his death Friday morning in a statement: “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mike Ditka. While the world knew Mike as a Hall of Fame football player, legendary coach, and leader of the Chicago Bears’ Super Bowl XX championship team, we knew him as the heart of our family.”
Ditka coached the 1985 Chicago Bears to an 18-1 record and a Super Bowl title, with the team’s only loss coming against the Miami Dolphins. He became Chicago’s head coach in 1982 and was named NFL Coach of the Year in 1985 and 1988. He later coached the New Orleans Saints from 1997 to 1999.
As a player, Ditka was drafted by the Bears in 1961 and became the first modern receiving tight end, later the first tight end inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He won NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1961, made five consecutive Pro Bowls from 1961 to 1965, and earned five All-Pro selections.
He played for the Bears from 1961 to 1966, the Philadelphia Eagles from 1967 to 1968, and the Dallas Cowboys from 1969 to 1972, finishing his career with 427 receptions, 5,812 yards and 43 touchdowns. He was part of championship teams in 1963 with Chicago and Super Bowl VI with Dallas following the 1971 season.
Ditka was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1986 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988.
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