On Friday, news arrived that legendary Chicago Bears football coach Mike Ditka had died at 86, bringing reactions from many people, including Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell. Campbell was informed of the news during a Lions media session ahead of the Lions' upcoming game against the Arizona Cardinals. The Detroit head coach was surprised and indicated he'd met with Ditka during an early part of his career.
Wow," Campbell said before he was asked if he ever had any interactions with Ditka. "Someone I just loved growing up, and Ditka was it. Hell of a coach." Campbell recalled attending the NFL Draft Combine, where the New Orleans Saints wanted to meet with him.
He said that the meeting took place in a small, smoke-filled room with dim light, and Ditka, coaching the Saints at the time, was sitting there. More news: Buccaneers’ Todd Bowles Update Emerges After Sideline Health Scare vs Cowboys "It was one of the best times of my life and most intimidating times of my life sitting across from Mike Ditka. It was awesome, man," Campbell shared.
"Man, thoughts and prayers go out to his family. He's a legend." Ditka played for the Bears, Dallas Cowboys, and Philadelphia Eagles. He then coached the Bears from 1982 to 1992, including guiding the team to Super Bowl XX, which they won dominantly, 46-10, over the New England Patriots.
After a four-year hiatus from coaching, he returned as head coach of the Saints in 1997. His record in three seasons with New Orleans was just 15-33, while he finished his Bears coaching tenure at 106-62. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988 for his playing career and was the first-ever tight end to be enshrined.
Ditka had a huge impact on many people, including Campbell, also a tight end, who played in the NFL from 1999 to 2009 for the New York Giants, Cowboys, Lions, and Saints. Like Ditka, Campbell became a head coach after his NFL playing career. The Lions and Bears have yet to face off this season, with their first clash arriving on Thanksgiving in Detroit and their second on Jan. 3, 2027, in Chicago.
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