Chicago Bears Pay Tribute To Mike Ditka With Their Week 5 Uniforms [PHOTO]
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
The Chicago Bears are set to take the field against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. The longtime rivals meet at Lambeau Field in a matchup that carries extra meaning this week. News of Mike Ditka’s passing on Friday has prompted widespread tributes across the league and the city of Chicago.
Ditka died at the age of 86 after a long and influential career. He starred as a tight end for the Bears before later returning as head coach. The franchise has already begun acknowledging his contributions through public statements and internal recognition.
Bears Debut Special Helmet Decal Honoring Legend
The team has chosen a visible on-field gesture to mark the occasion. Players will wear a new helmet sticker featuring Ditka’s No. 89 for the remainder of the season. The navy decal, bordered in orange with a white number, appears on the rear of the helmets.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mike Ditka,” his family said in a statement.
The sticker mirrors earlier tributes the organization has used for other icons. Ditka’s number was the last one the Bears retired, and the team has indicated it will remain that way. NBC Chicago confirmed the decal will stay in place through the rest of the year.
Ditka’s Lasting Impact On Franchise Continues
Ditka revolutionized the tight end position during his playing days by turning it into a dual-threat role. He recorded 316 receptions for 4,503 yards and 34 touchdowns in six seasons with Chicago. Later, as head coach, he guided the 1985 team to a Super Bowl XX championship, the franchise’s only title to date.
The Bears previously detailed his deep ties to the organization following the announcement of his death. Coach Ben Johnson has described him as the gold standard inside Halas Hall.
“Sad news here this morning,” Johnson said. “As far as I’m concerned, Coach Ditka is the gold standard in terms of this place. He’s a legend around here as a player, as a coach. His impact is still being felt to this day, and as the head coach of the Bears, I feel humbled to be in that same chair that he was once in.”
Additional tributes are planned for the team’s next home game. The Packers have also issued a statement praising Ditka as one of the fiercest competitors in NFL history.
This helmet gesture allows current players to carry a reminder of the man who shaped the franchise’s identity for decades.
