Chicago Bears Retire #89

   The Chicago Bears of the National Football League announced they will officially retire the number 89 later this year. That is the number worn by Mike Ditka when he played for the Bears.

    Ditka played eleven years for the Bears and revolutionized the position of tight end. Previously, tight ends were just another blocker on the offensive line, but Ditka proved he could also be a pass-catching player. He is STILL listed as the most proficient tight end in Chicago Bears history, having caught 316 passes for 4502 yards, and 34 touchdowns. He was the fifth overall selection in the 1961 college draft and was instrumental in the Bears winning the NFL Championship in 1963. Ditka is quick to spread the glory, saying he played alongside such greats as Bill George, Dick Butkus, and Gale Sayers.... but others will tell you Ditka was something special. He was twice named All-Pro and went to the Pro Bowl Game on 6 occasions. After the 1972 season he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, and three years later was sent to the Dallas Cowboys.

     This is where I met Ditka, and I watched in horror as he would turn his wrath on reporters after a losing effort on the field. As one who covered the Cowboys, I learned you better be sure of your questions when you spoke to Iron Mike. He played four years with the Cowboys and caught a touchdown pass in Super Bowl VI against the Miami Dolphins. After his playing career, Ditka became an assistant coach to Dallas Head Coach Tom Landry... In the early 1980's his beloved Bears came calling and Ditka was their choice as head coach.

    He would coach the Bears for eleven years, winning the NFL Championship in 1985....but Ditka could not understand the  attitude of young players in this era. Frequent confrontations with quarterback Jim McMahon and the news media in Chicago finally ended with Ditka losing his job. He would later become head coach of the New Orleans Saints, a time Ditka would call the worst three years of his life.

    BUT...this latest honor has nothing to do with his coaching years. The Hall of Fame player will see his number '89' retired this December 9th at Soldier Field in Chicago in a Monday Night Game against the Dallas Cowboys. This game was chosen by Bears management because he played for both, and will be well received by both sidelines. Ditka will become the 14th Chicago Bear to have his number retired.