After a contract dispute with owner George "Papa Bear" Halas, the five-time Pro Bowler was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles prior to the 1967 season.
Ditka would cap off his playing days by catching a touchdown in Super Bowl VI for the Dallas Cowboys. Upon retirement, he immediately joined Tom Landry's coaching staff in Dallas.
In 1982, Ditka's career came full circle when Halas brought him back to the Bears as the 10th head coach in franchise history.
As coach, both fans and the media couldn't get enough of Ditka's gruff and tough coaching persona. Ditka's fiery sideline demeanor quickly turned into on-field success.
"I don't want to be competitive. I know what that is," Ditka said in 1985. "I want to be the winner."
The Bears reached and won Super Bowl XX (Jim McMahon QB). On Jan. 26, 1986, in New Orleans, Ditka's Bears dominated the New England Patriots 46-10, making Ditka one of only two men to win an NFL title as a player, assistant coach, and head coach (Tom Flores the other).
In 1988, Ditka became the first tight end ever inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Later that year, he suffered a heart attack. He would recover, and in 1990, he led the Bears to a sixth division crown.
But following a 5-11 finish in the 1992 season, Ditka was fired.
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