Departures of note

Mike Ditka was an American professional football player, coach, and broadcaster whose career spanned more than five decades. As a tight end he was the UPI NFL Rookie of the Year in 1961, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, and a six-time All-Pro with the Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, and Dallas Cowboys, becoming the first tight end inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988. He won an NFL championship with the 1963 Bears and a Super Bowl with the 1972 Cowboys.

As head coach of the Chicago Bears from 1982 to 1992, Ditka led the team to a 15-1 season and a 46-10 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX, and was twice named NFL Coach of the Year. He later coached the New Orleans Saints from 1997 to 1999 and worked as a television analyst for NBC, CBS, and ESPN. He was one of only a few people to win a Super Bowl as a player, assistant coach, and head coach.

Known for his fiery personality and the nickname "Iron Mike," he also appeared in films and television shows, wrote books, and became a beloved cultural figure in Chicago. His death at age 86 was announced on October 9, 2026.