RIP Mike Ditka

[Uncle Rico]

The anecdotes and stories from various people across media today have been pretty amazing.  About as authentic a personality as you could ever get across the modern NFL era. 4-5 of my friends had Ditka run-ins in Chicago in the early 2010s and they were all glowing...and only 1 was a Bears fan, the rest were just duly enamored by a legend who was completely approachable, kind, and charming.

Best Ditka story I have is the now-husband of one of my good friends.  He grew up in the Western burbs.  His dad is a lawyer/business owner who had a bunch of interests with former Chicago athletes.  Bunch of stuff with former Bears, owned a training facility with others including Bo Jackson, etc...

Naturally, Ditka was in the greater circle.  So as a teen in the early 2000s, he saw/interacted with Ditka on a fairly regular basis.  His name is Ryan, but whatever reason, Ditka called him Brian. He thought it might have been a mistake the 2nd or 3rd time, but it kept happening and he was kind of intimidated to correct the Coach.  However, Ditka always went out of his way to ask about sports, school, hobbies, etc... and remembered tons of info...but not that he his name didn't have B.

Finally, after awhile, he finally got the nerve to say something.  Ditka looked at him, went "huh...of course kid", chomped his gum, and patted him on the back.  Referred to him as "kid" the rest of the day.  Next time he saw him, called him "Ryan" like nothing happened moving forward.

Also a lot of stories about how he sexually harassed the help at his restaurants

[The Sultan]

Also a lot of stories about how he sexually harassed the help at his restaurants

Being sexually harassed by Ditka is considered an honor in Chicago.

[Shaka Shart]

Being sexually harassed by Ditka is considered an honor in Chicago.

Chicago football needs to move on and find better representation off the field from their ex players. Be more like Mark Chmura