Mike Ditka Honored by Bears with Helmet Patch After Death

The Chicago Bears will honor legendary coach Mike Ditka during Sunday's game against the rival Green Bay Packers.

ESPN's Ian Rapoport shared a look at the helmet decals Chicago will wear with Ditka's No. 89:

Ditka died at the age of 86, and his family released a statement on Friday through Jarrett Payton , the son of iconic Bears running back Walter Payton.

"It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mike Ditka," the statement said. "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. Mike will be missed beyond measure and remembered forever."

It is impossible to tell the story of the Bears without a significant focus on Ditka's impact.

He started his playing career in the Windy City and was a Pro Bowler in each of his first five seasons. He won a NFL championship in his third season after he set an NFL rookie tight end record with 1,076 receiving yards.

That mark stood until Brock Bowers surpassed it in 2024.

Ditka's 12 touchdown catches that season still stands as a rookie tight end record.

While Ditka continued his playing career with the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys, he returned to the Bears as their head coach from 1982 through 1992. Chicago won the Super Bowl during the 1985 season and reached the playoffs in seven of his 10 years as the head coach.

Following his death, the Bears honored Ditka with a video montage and a statement:

"Mike's impact on the Chicago Bears organization, over decades as a player, coach, and proud icon and ambassador for our organization, is immeasurable," the statement said. "His integral role in bringing world championships to our city and our franchise, both as a player and as our coach, established prominence and excellence at a world-class level, but also created a lifetime of cherished memories in the hearts and minds of Bears fans that will last for generations."

As for the current Bears, they will take the field for Sunday's game against the Packers with a 3-1 record on the season and a two-game winning streak in the rivalry.

Chicago defeated Green Bay in Week 16 of the 2025 campaign and then eliminated the Packers in the NFC Wild Card Round of the playoffs.