Here's how you can get a piece of Mike Ditka SNEED EXCLUSIVE: Watch for more than 500 items of sports memorabilia collected by Da Coach and culled from the walls of his shuttered namesake Gold Coast restaurant to go up for auction soon! After dropping to 511 in the 1992 season, the Bears fired Ditka on January 5, 1993. [34], Ditka has written or contributed to a number of books since 1986. [2], He is known by the nickname "Iron Mike", which he has said comes from his being born and raised in a steel town in Pennsylvania.[3]. Mike Ditka. He married Diana Trantham in July 1976. He wrote Ditka: An Autobiography with friend and sports journalist Don Pierson;[35] he authored The 85 Bears: We Were the Greatest with Rick Telander. McMichael played college football for the University of Texas at Austin and was an All-American. Quarterback Jim Harbaugh then threw a game-tying touchdown to Neal Anderson with :18 left in the game. In April 1996, Ric Flair started hitting on McMichael's wife Debra, who would sit at ringside during WCW Monday Nitro. (Payton's daughter) Brittney. Dave Edwards, a former Cowboys teammate who remains one of Ditka's closest friends, half-jokes that Ditka "could have gone into the Hall of Fame after his rookie season," when the young tight end . He started on the football team all three seasons, leading the team in receiving in each, while also serving as a linebacker, defensive end, and punter. His father, a welder, was one of three brothers of a Polish and Ukrainian family in the coal-mining and steel-manufacturing area in Western . He is a member of the College Football (1986) and Pro Football Hall of Fames (1988). [34] Despite not making any more public appearances, with his and his family's permission, photos of McMichael being visited by former teammates and wrestlers have surfaced on social media, which have received criticism from fans due to McMichael's declining health. Seven Worst Online Casino Games Techniques, Future Still Uncertain For MotoGP Legend Marquez, Michael Buffer's Wife Christine Prado aka Christine Buffer Shared Vows With Him In 2008, Who Is Kay Ivey's Husband? The Cowboys won 27-14 giving the . In 1995, McMichael was hired by World Championship Wrestling (WCW). He was the head coach of the Chicago Slaughter of the Indoor Football League from 2007 until the team's final season in 2013. Mike Ditka was born on October 18, 1939. Her father had suffered a mild stroke in 2012. How much did Mike Ditka weigh when playing? player, coach, and T.V. About Health Update On Lisa Rinna's Daughter Delilah Hamlin; [10], In 1986, Ditka was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame. He started to get really good at football and was chosen to join the College Football All-America team. [23] At the time, his 427 receptions were the most by a tight end in NFL history. Mike Ditka is a former football player and coach who has worked for several teams in the NFL. The town, the coach, the team it's Steve McMichael. The 6'3" handsome football player has been married twice but is currently single. Quinn would go on to narrowly defeat Brady. Her grandmother Charlotte Ditka died on 4 February 2015 at the age of 93. He has three other siblings: older brother John Richard and younger sisters Kathy and Sharon. If they don't like the country they don't like our flag, get the hell out. He became a member for Sigma Chi Fraternity in 1958. It took four years for Mike to find love again when he got married to Diana Trantham on July 8, 1977. This match was notable for McMichael's extremely slow cadence for a three count.[24]. You're never a loser until you quit trying. Planning to become a dentist,[5] he was recruited by Notre Dame, Penn State, and the University of Pittsburgh. Moreover, Megan graduated from The University of Texas at Dallas and used to work as a national sales manager at Dallas for Hilton Hotels Crop. A member of both the College Football (1986) and Pro Football Hall of Fame (1988), he was the 1961 UPI NFL Rookie of Year, a five-time Pro Bowl selection and five-time All-Pro tight end with the Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, and . mode: 'thumbnails-b', Something needs to be done. Mark, Megan, Matt and Mike are the names of his four kids. . He posted 13 receptions for 111 yards and two touchdowns. Copyright 2022-2023 Free Articles by superbhub.com, All rights reserved. [9] He also was an intramural wrestling champion. Mike Ditka and Diana Trantham married since 1973. She Is Married More Than Once. So the last year, I went up there on my last leg and I wasn't any good anymore. 74 Copy quote. The Chicago Bears signed him as a free agent in 1981. In March 2016, ESPN and Ditka announced he would move to SportsCenter for remote-broadcasting analysis, as Ditka disliked the long distance from his home to the studio. [41], In 1987, following the success of the Chicago Bears' charity single "The Super Bowl Shuffle", the video's producer Richard E. Meyer created a similar music video starring Ditka, titled "The Grabowski Shuffle." He was born on October 18, 1939. In his first season, Ditka had 58 receptions, introducing a new dimension to a tight end position that had previously been dedicated to blocking. In 1970, he remained a reserve player behind Norman. However, Mike and Margery got divorced on 21 September 1973. [4], McMichael's performances for his high school football team saw him being offered scholarships by 75 institutions. State California. Mike Ditka is currently married to Diane Ditka, and the couple has been together since 1973. [65][66][67], On November 23, 2018, Ditka was hospitalized in Naples, Florida, after suffering a heart attack while playing golf. [25] Meanwhile, the Cowboys continued to win games, although they did not win another Super Bowl while Ditka was there. He was a unanimous first-team selection on the College Football All-America Team as a two-way end. Megan grew up in a big Ditka family (3 siblings, grandparents and parents). [62], From 1997 until 2001, Ditka lived in an area of New Orleans known as English Turn. He has been awarded a plaque from the College Football Hall of Fame. The league would not express that opinion, by any stretch of the imagination. He was previously with Margery Ditka but later married Diana Trantham in 1977 and four kids. In January 2007, Ditka used the Super Bowl return of the Chicago Bears as a platform to promote efforts by many early NFL players trying to raise support for former NFL players in need of money and medical assistance; he is a key member in the Gridiron Greats. ", "For 13 years, I helped the Bears beat the Packers every year. He became a member of the legendary Four Horsemen stable and was a one-time WCW United States Champion. Ditka played for the University of Pittsburgh from 1958 until 1960, where he also became a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. Where was Mike Ditka born? He also averaged 38.3 yards per punt. If you don't work, that's a different problem. I think he understands that and I think he's good people." Apr 28, 2011, 12:36 PM EDT | Updated Jun 28, 2011. Football Coach #35599. Now maybe I'm not watching it as carefully as other people. Ditka's team played more inconsistently in 1998, as the Saints started out 30, but could not keep the momentum going. He had one touchdown reception (tied for second on the team). "[61], From 1989 until 1997, Ditka lived in Bannockburn, Illinois. "The ones who want to achieve and win championships . McMichael was handcuffed to the steel cage surrounding the ring along with Benoit, and neither man could defend Flair from the 5-on-1 assault from the nWo; the match ended after McMichael surrendered to stop the nWo from attacking Flair, although Hennig would still slam the cage door on Flair's head (which was edited out of the home video release, but included on the WWE Network in full), even after the submission was made. It makes no rational sense at all. But its a damned shame., He was also asked if there was a connection between the reduction of religion in America and the NFL Protest against the national anthem, Sure. Whats the Next State Opening up for Sports Betting Legislation? Megan Ditka is a blissfully married woman. The son of legendary Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka was arrested recently for driving under the influence outside his apartment complex in suburban Deerfield, Illinois. Ditka was born as Michael Dyczko in the Pittsburgh-area town of Carnegie, Pennsylvania on October 18, 1939. "[76] In the same interview, Ditka was dismissive of social issues in America, saying "I don't see all the atrocities going on in this country that people say are going on, I see opportunities if people want to look for opportunity now if they don't want to look for them then you can find problems with anything, but this is the land of opportunity because you can be anything you want to be if you work. [39] He is also a large topic in books written about the Bears as a team such as Then Ditka said to Payton[40] and Monsters: The 1985 Chicago Bears and the Wild Heart of Football. During the season, against the Los Angeles Rams, Ditka tied Harlon Hill's franchise record for the most receiving touchdowns in a game with four. Ditka was born as Michael Dyczko in the Pittsburgh-area town of Carnegie, Pennsylvania on October 18, 1939. McMichael was named to the NFC's Pro Bowl teams for the 1986 and 1987 seasons. In 1999, he was ranked number 90 on The Sporting News's list of the 100 Greatest Football Players. A follow-up commercial would show Ditka throwing the Packers sweater vest out the window and donning his more familiar Bears sweater vest once the contest was over. As a sophomore, he led the team with 18 receptions for 252 yards and averaged 42.5 yards per punt. [16][17], In July 1997, Jarrett was kicked out of the Horsemen, and Debra soon left McMichael for Jarrett. [13], On December 9, 2013, Ditka's Bears jersey, number 89, was retired in a halftime ceremony during a Monday Night Football game in Chicago as the Bears hosted the Dallas Cowboys, for whom Ditka also played and worked as an assistant coach under the late Tom Landry. Jennie was born in Ohio, the daughter of Peter Brady and Mary A. Husey, who were Irish . Mike Ditka - Wikipedia: Michael Keller Ditka (born Michael Dyczko; October 18, 1939) is a former American football player, coach, and television commentator. Mike Ditkas Mother Charlotte Ditka died at the the the age of 93. Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka gives signals to his players during their game against the Dallas Cowboys in Irving, Texas on Sunday, Dec. 28, 1992. Buddy Ryan left in 1986 to become the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. Most Popular. the guys made Barnett dress up like Da Coach for their dinner at Ditka's. As fate would have it, Mike . Charlotte was a resident of Aliquippa. Megan's dad is a football trainer and reportedly possesses a networth of $5 million. Pittsburgh Born and Bred. Mike Ditka, who was both a Hall of Fame tight end for the Bears and the only head coach to lead the Bears to a Super Bowl victory, said he opposes the Bears' discussions of leaving Soldier Field . Before divorcing his first wife, Mike had four children. Ditka told the crowd.[30]. Net Worth in 2023: $45 million. Ditka responded by asking the reporter, "What do you care?" During his tenure, the Cowboys made the playoffs eight times, won six division titles, three NFC championships, and a Super Bowl victory in 1977. And yes, I do believe that this is somehow related to the flight from religion, or what have you. O'Bradovich was the man Ditka chose to introduce him when he was inducted. The Chicago Bears are finally retiring the number of Mike Ditka, an NFL Hall of Famer and three-time Super Bowl champion (as player, assistant coach, and head coach). The act received some criticism from conservative fans who felt that it was a sign of disrespect to the country. [73], Ditka was a vocal supporter of Donald Trump's election campaign, saying "I support Trump all the way. Its pathetic. He's also feuding with an old Bears teammate, Ed O'Bradovich, whose daughter, Amy, is married to Ditka's son, Mark. In 90s he used workasan Engineering Technician for the magnetic resonance imaging unit at the University of Texas Southwest Medical Centre Dallas. Success isn't permanent and failure isn't fatal. It took quite a while for Mike to fail in love again, and in July 1977, he decided to take their relationship to the next level. Bears - pro football's eternal bad boys. [72], In October 2011, Ditka and the 1985 team went to the White House after they did not attend in 1986 due to the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. Megan Ditka was born on November 1, 1964. However, he is now working as a sales engineer at Torque Inc. SuperbHub for more Celebrity News and Entertainment. All of these cigars are produced in Honduras. In his first NFL start, Delhomme threw for two touchdowns and ran for a third, and Fred Weary took a forced fumble 56 yards for the game-winning score, as the Saints knocked off the Cowboys, 3124. After the end of his NFL career, he appeared at ringside in the WWF for Lawrence Taylor at WrestleMania XI on April 2, 1995, in Hartford, Connecticut. He had three sons and a daughter with his first wife Marge Doughtery. Birthplace Carnegie, PA . He was a popular footballer and he is now more than 70 years old. Ronald A Hawes, son of William and Lee Hawes Married to Megan Ditka on 19 May 1990. This proved to be Ditka's final victory as a head coach; after a 4513 loss to the Panthers the following week left the Saints with a 313 record and their seventh consecutive nonwinning season, Ditka and general manager Bill Kuharich were fired on January 6, 2000. Mike Ditka hasn't seen the daughter of his younger brother, Ashton, in more than a year but cheered her commitment to standing up for those with no voice. Ditka inherited a team that had not made the playoffs, nor had recorded a record above .500, since 1992, and had finished the 1996 season, during which Mora had resigned, tied with the Atlanta Falcons for the second-worst record in the league (only the New York Jets, who only won once, had a worse record). The funeral of Charlotte, Mike Ditkas mother washeld in St. Titus Catholic Church in Aliquippa. Success is about having money and fame, but excellence is being the best you can be.". Want to Read. And Megan was only nine years old when her parents divorced, citing personal differences in September 1973. Ditka owns a chain of restaurants, "Ditka's", which has three locations in Illinois and one in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Their daughter Macy Dale McMichael was born at 4:12 pm on January 22, 2008. As the season wore on, Ditka's frustrations began showing in the local media. FANATICS AUTHENTIC AUTOGRAPHED HELMET. After retiring as a player, Ditka embarked on a . Ditka has stated that one of his biggest regrets in life was not letting Walter Payton score a touchdown in the Super Bowl, instead opting for Jim McMahon to run it in twice and rookie defensive tackle William "The Refrigerator" Perry to run it in once. In his view, men are the leaders and thats just the way it is. Mike Ditka. He played as a defensive tackle for the Texas Longhorns football team from 1976 to 1979, but his freshman season was marred by the death of his stepfather. He had a streak of 101 games started until 1990, when his playing time was reduced. The Bears went on to win in overtime when Harbaugh scored on a 1-yard TD run. Ditka, Flores, Gary Kubiak, and Doug Pederson are also the only people in modern NFL history to win a championship as head coach of a team for which they played previously. Shortly after his hiring, as recounted by Mike Singletary in 2006, Ditka called a team meeting. If God had wanted man to play soccer, he wouldn't have given us arms. Beginning in 2006, Ditka appeared on a Seattle radio program, "Groz with Gas" on 950 KJR-AM Seattle, on Thursday afternoons with Dave Grosby and Mike Gastineau. In 1961, he was UPI NFL Rookie of Year, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, and also a six-time All-Pro tight end with the National Football League's Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, and Philadelphia Eagles. He played on the 1963 NFL championship team. The video, about "working hard to get what you want", was inspired by a comment Ditka had made about his team's reputation: "There are Smiths and there are Grabowskis; we're the Grabowskis."[42]. "[46] Ultimately, however, in December 2007, Ditka folded his "Hall of Fame Assistance Trust Fund" charity amidst revelations that, "in 2005, the group gave out more money to pay celebrities to play golf than the group in its entire three years of operation gave out to injured players", according to Laurie Styron of the American Institute of Philanthropy. Mike Ditka was born in Carnegie, PA. How tall is Mike Ditka? "[54] The same year, Ditka and Camacho Cigars partnered and produced a line of cigars called "The Mike Ditka Kickoff Series". Ditka suffered a heart attack during the 1988 season, which he attributed to stress since he was in excellent physical condition and had no significant family history of heart disease. The 83-year-old played tight end for the Bears from . They feuded with the nWo until McMichael made his final appearance on the February 8, 1999 episode of Nitro. His highlight was a touchdown reception in the Cowboys' 243 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI. No Guts, No Glory has the story of the son of legendary Bears coach Mike Ditka getting busted for DUI and blaming the arrest on having his famous father's name. As a senior, he was named a team captain, while leading the team with 11 receptions for 229 yards and two receiving touchdowns. Alas, that man, that legend, that coach that benched Kaepernick when the little turd refused to stand for the pledge, is gone. Ronald has done his high school from Brookfield East High School. While working with the Cowboys, Ditka sent a letter to George Halas, his former head coach, who was still owner of the Bears. Mike Ditka. When the reporter tried to follow up, he said, "If you were 27, you'd be in a bad mood, too." He was a good athlete when it came to playing basketball and baseball when he was still in his college years. The two began throwing punches at each other and had to be separated, and Ditka said that the relationship at that point became unsalvageable. [49][50], Ditka was a co-owner the Chicago Rush, an Arena Football League team. Ditka is quoted as saying, "Doc Miller patched me up many times". He continued to play for the Bears for the next five years, earning a Pro Bowl trip each season. A member of both the College (1986) and the Pro (1988) Football Halls of Fame, he was UPI NFL Rookie of Year in 1961, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, and a six-time All-Pro tight end with the National Football League (NFL)'s Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, and Dallas Cowboys. Mike Ditka's daughter Meghan Ditka married Roland Alan Hawkes in 1990. Ditka claimed, "[he] didn't have it anymore", and said to the reporters, "God puts people in places for reasons, and he probably put me here to be humbled. He was an NFL champion with the 1963 Bears, and is a three-time Super Bowl champion, playing on the Cowboys' Super Bowl VI team, winning as an assistant coach for the Cowboys in Super Bowl XII, and coaching the Bears to victory in Super Bowl XX. That's life. 12 watching. "The sweater vest is iconic and legendary, just like the man himself," say the coach's son and daughter-in-law Mark and. The turning point in the McMichaelJarrett feud was at SuperBrawl VII. He led the Bears with 11.mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}12 sacks in 1988. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Now, this is a bachelor party. [70] Obama went on to defeat the eventual Republican candidate, former U.S. ambassador Alan Keyes, in a landslide in the November 2004 election. Other Facts. [56], In 2013, Ditka and Vienna Beef partnered to create Ditka Sausages, which will be eight inches long and one-third pound in weight. I dont even know what theyre protesting whether its President Trump or something and frankly, I dont think they do, either.. Mike Ditka. Megan Ditka is the only daughter of Mike Ditka who is married to Ronald A Hawes since 1990. [51][52], In 2012, Ditka partnered with Terlato Wines to produce his own collection of wines, produced in California. [27] Football commentators widely regard the 1985 Bears defense as one of the best. As a head coach for the Bears from 1982 to 1992, he was twice both the AP and UPI NFL Coach of Year (1985 and 1988). In 1988,[24] his blocking and 427 career receptions for 5,812 yards and 43 touchdowns earned him the honor of being the first tight end inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Profession: American former football player, coach, and television commentator. BEARS LEGEND. Data protection is of a particularly high priority for the management of the SuperbHub. According to an interview with Ditka in The Athletic, his attack was, in a word, "massive." He had four stents inserted to open his arteries and a pacemaker to control his heartbeat. Mike Ditka: Career retrospective Mike Ditka is one of the most beloved sports personalities that the city of Chicago has ever seen. After a late-season practice with the team sitting at 27, Ditka was very abrupt and dismissive of reporters, whom he felt were asking him stupid questions, and was asked by one of them why he was in such a bad mood. While Ditka still has that same ol' charm, his appearance in the video has left some fans shocked and saddened. The fight was all over the arena floor and almost into the stands, knocking over the broadcast table, soon being broken up by personnel. 3.7. based on . However, despite being expected to miss much of the season, Ditka was on the sidelines as an "advisor" the next week and back in full charge the week after. Michael Keller Ditka (born Michael Dyczko; October 18, 1939) is an American former football player, coach, and television commentator. [47] During Super Bowl XLIV, Ditka (who was not in the original group) joined other members of the 1985 Chicago Bears in resurrecting the "Super Bowl Shuffle" in a Boost Mobile commercial. In August 2011, media reports noted that Ditka would be a financial investor for the new Elite Football League of India, a proposed American football league that will be India's first. In 1962, he started all 14 games, making 58 receptions (tied for the team lead) for 904 yards (led the team) and five receiving touchdowns (led the team). The transaction was intended to fill roster vacancies created by the retirements of Eagles' tight end Pete Retzlaff and Bears' quarterback Rudy Bukich. And because every bachelor party needs drunken buffoonery . Birth Sign Libra. In 2014, Ditka and Resultly partnered to feature his profile and product collections. With the furl brow and a defying stare, Mike Ditka personified the Chicago. Vincent performs in 20 different voices and sings the National Anthem regularly for the NFL, NBA, and MLB. He has been married to his wife, Diana, for over four decades. In 2013, lost his campaign for mayor of Romeoville, Illinois. He stares off at his course through the window. McMichael has been a regular presence on Chicago sports radio for several years and is currently the namesake of a restaurant in the southwest suburbs of Chicago. With the Bears down 136 with 1:54 remaining, McMichael forced a Blair Thomas fumble and recovered it at the New York 36. I'm really proud to be a Bear. [43] Ditka also appeared as himself in the show According to Jim, in the 2002 episode "Cars & Chicks". Just hours after the spot was aired, the Packers went on to beat the Vikings, ending the "curse".[59]. In 1963, he led the team with 59 catches for 794 yards and eight touchdowns. [27], In 1985, McMichael married Debra Marshall. Background of Marge's Famous Love Marge's first husband, Mike Ditka was born as Michael Keller Ditka and he was born in 1939. The first Mike Ditka Wines were released in fall 2012, including eight labels highlighting his career: "The Player" (2011 Pinot Grigio and 2010 Merlot), "The Coach" (2011 Sauvignon Blanc and 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon), " The Hall of Famer" (2011 Chardonnay and 2011 Pinot Noir), and "The Restaurateur" pair which includes "The Icon" (2010 Cabernet Sauvignon) and "The Champion" (2010 Red Blend). Enter the clubhouse of Olde Florida Golf Club in Naples, veer left, and of course Ditka's relaxing with a cigar in his hand. On January 28, 1969, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for wide receiver Dave McDaniels. Ditka regularly appears on Chicago radio station ESPN 1000 (WMVP-AM), often broadcasting on Thursday mornings from one of his eponymous restaurants along with ESPN 1000 mid-morning hosts Marc Silverman and Tom Waddle, a former Bears player under Ditka. Their first child, Mike Ditka III, was born later in those same years. Even though Mike was not able to carve out a memorable career as a NFL player, he was able to find success on the coaching end. In 2015, Ditka did several television ads for McDonald's. Ditka is also a member of the College and Pro Football . [28], On March 24, 2001, McMichael married Misty Davenport. McMichael challenged Flair and Arn Anderson to a match with his partner Kevin Greene. Older brother Michael has one daughter Lauren Ashley with wife Debbie Jo. _taboola.push({ Birthday October Oct 18, 1939 . [6] Bears coach Mike Ditka said in 2005 that McMichael was the toughest player he had ever coached. Additionally, Megan's father married Diana Ditka and currently lives in Bannockburn. They only reason people ask them questions is because of Megans famous football fighter. Although the flame of Mike and Marge's love could not last for long, the lovers blessed their relationship with their parenthood. In 1964, he was second on the team with 75 receptions for 897 yards and five touchdowns. After winning the season opener against the Carolina Panthers, the Saints dropped their next seven games, including a loss to the expansion Cleveland Browns. Mike Ditka is a former American football player, coach, and television commentator.A member of both the College Football and Pro Football Hall of Fame, he was the 1961 UPI NFL Rookie of Year, a five-time Pro Bowl selection and five-time All-Pro tight end with the Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, and Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). window._taboola = window._taboola || []; Quarterback Attack was re-released for iTunes and Google Play in December 2016. She flaunts black hair and a pair of eyes. Megan has two older brothers named Michael and Mark Ditka and she has one younger brother named Matt. I sat down . This new role allows him to stay at home, while still maintaining an analyst role with the network. Grapes. His father, a welder, was one of three brothers of a Polish[6] and Ukrainian[7] family in the coal-mining and steel-manufacturing area in Western Pennsylvania. Ditka served as color commentator for ESPN's September 10, 2007, broadcast of Monday Night Football, alongside Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic. Speaking with Dan Dakich on Monday's Don't @ Me, Ditka revealed that not giving Payton the chance to score a touchdown in the 46-10 blowout over the New England Patriots is "the worst thing" he's ever done. McMichael got his revenge when he defeated Jarrett for his WCW United States Heavyweight Championship on the August 21 episode of Clash of the Champions XXXV. Visit Married Wiki for exciting biographies of celebrities. [18] Just weeks earlier, Arn Anderson had been forced to retire due to an injury, and Curt Hennig took his place in the Horsemen. In Ditka's first season back in the league, he struggled early, as the Saints lost four of their first five games. commentator. Mike Ditka. He trained with Randy Savage (he was actually trained by Terry Taylor at the WCW Power Plant), while Flair and Anderson got Heenan to be their coach for the match. Ditka was married to his first wife, Marge from 1961 to 1973. Megan Ditka was born to Mike Dikta from his first marriage shared with his ex-wife, Marge Ditika of Richardson, Texas. [22] Pettis Norman ended up being named the starting tight end, but Ditka still was able to play in 12 games with four starts, while making 17 receptions for 268 yards and three touchdowns. The ceremony took place in the historic antebellum-style Mansion in Dallas. Although the Bears had made the playoffs under Armstrong and his predecessor Jack Pardee, those were the only two winning seasons since Halas' retirement as coach, so he was looking for a coach who would bring the Bears back to prominence. He was named to the NFL's 75th- and 100th-Anniversary All-Time Teams. [25] Specifically, Ditka said, "Give me three years, and if you walk with me, we'll get to the dance."[26]. Taylor was wrestling Bam Bam Bigelow and there were several football players at ringside to keep wrestlers from interfering in the match. [30], McMichael and fellow 1985 Chicago Bears alumni Dan Hampton and Otis Wilson performed in a rock and roll oldies band (with entertaining satirical Mike Ditka verses) called the Chicago 6. The next year, the Bears finished second in the NFC with an 114 record, but were again upended by the Redskins en route to that team's second Super Bowl victory of the decade. They divorced on October 12, 1998. Most Popular. A horse-drawn carriage transported the bride and her father, Mike Ditka, to the early evening ceremony. For the most Read more Looking for something? [12] McMichael would root for the popular wrestlers during matches, would bicker with Heenan on a regular basis, and brought his dog Pepe with him to the broadcast booth.