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@pklinkne.bsky.social

The Bears used to train right on my college campus so I’d see Ditka around all the time. He was quite a character.

Phil Lewis@phillewis.bsky.social

Legendary coach, Hall of Fame TE Mike Ditka dies at age 86

espn.comLegendary coach, Hall of Fame TE Mike Ditka dies at age 86Mike Ditka, a Hall of Fame tight end who became an NFL legend for his time as coach of the Bears, has died at the age of 86.

Phil Klinkner

@pklinkne.bsky.social

I’d see him driving in his car with his assistant coaches. He’d take his hands off the wheel so he could gesticulate wildly, then grab the wheel just before the car would go off the road.

10/10/26, 2:22 am0 reposts1 like

Phil Klinkner

@pklinkne.bsky.social

I used to lifeguard at the college pool where Ditka and other Bears would walk in the shallow end as PT after knee surgery. Everyone else would just stroll leisurely back and forth across the pool. Not Ditka. He would charge across the water like a speedboat, leaving a wake behind him.