What to know about funeral service for former Bears coach Mike Ditka
Chicago Sun-Times • • sports
Key Points:
- The funeral mass for former Bears coach Mike Ditka will be private and limited to family only, with no details being released, according to a family representative.
- The service is expected to take place in Chicago, where Ditka lived, and some former players have requested to attend but have not yet received a response.
- The family is considering a future celebration of life ceremony that would be more open, and the Bears plan to honor Ditka with a tribute at their next home game on October 22 against the Patriots.
- Ditka was a Hall of Fame tight end for the Bears from 1961 to 1966 and returned as head coach in 1982, leading the team to its only Super Bowl victory in the 1985 season.
- Former players remember Ditka as a tough, driven coach with a big heart, who was dedicated to winning and maintaining the Bears' legacy.
