Chicago Bears legend Mike Ditka has died at 86. 104.3 The Score’s Jarrett Payton broke the news Friday after receiving confirmation of Ditka’s passing and reflected on his personal relationship with the former NFL head coach.
What We Know: Ditka starred at tight end for the Bears, Eagles, and Cowboys across 12 NFL seasons. Later, he became the first tight end elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. As a coach, he led Chicago to a Super Bowl XX title and finished 121-95 with the Bears and Saints. Afterward, he built a second career as a longtime NFL analyst, most notably at ESPN. Payton, son of Bears hall of fame running back Walter Payton, broke the news to the 104.3 The Score listening audience and shared his immediate reaction to the news.
What They Said: (All quotes via 104.3 The Score):
Jarrett Payton announcing the passing of former Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka: “It saddens me to give this information to the city of Chicago. Everybody knows how much Coach [Mike Ditka] means to me, my family, the city, and the Chicago Bears. He has been nothing but an amazing person for my entire family. But also somebody that always made sure that I was okay, that our family was okay, and always kept up with us. Any time that I needed him, he was always there.”
Jarrett Payton on the impact that Mike Ditka had in his football career: “The game of football. Being able to do it at such a high level on the field, but then also what he did as a coach as well. The lives that he has impacted throughout his way, teammates and also guys that he coached. Everybody has their opinion on the coach. But when it comes down to it, he did it his way, and he won.”
What Remains Unclear: So far, no cause of death has surfaced publicly. Likewise, funeral and memorial plans remain unknown. It’s also unclear how the Bears will honor Ditka this season.
What It Means: For Chicago, Ditka’s death closes a defining chapter in Bears history. Moreover, Payton’s tribute carried personal weight. After all, his father, Walter Payton, starred on Ditka’s 1985 Super Bowl winning team. As a result, the moment resonated far beyond a typical on-air announcement.
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