Da Coach: Bears pay homage to Mike Ditka at first home game since coach's death

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  Courtney CroninOct 22, 2026, 09:03 PM ET

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  Courtney Cronin joined ESPN in 2017, originally covering the Minnesota Vikings before switching to the Chicago Bears in 2022. Courtney is a frequent panelist on Around the Horn and host of Best Week Ever and GameNight on ESPN Radio. She also co-hosts The Chicago Bears Podcast on ESPN 1000. She previously worked at the San Jose Mercury News as a multimedia sports journalist.

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CHICAGO -- The Bears honored the life and legacy of legendary coach Mike Ditka on Thursday in a manner fitting of "Da Coach."

Ahead of the team's first home game since Ditka's death Oct. 9, the first 10,000 fans who arrived at Soldier Field were given knit headbands inspired by the iconic Bears sweater that Ditka made famous during his 11 seasons coaching in Chicago. The team also handed out fake mustaches to every fan in attendance.

Fittingly, the Bears hosted the New England Patriots on "Thursday Night Football," the opponent Ditka's 1985 squad beat in Super Bowl XX to earn the franchise's first Lombardi Trophy. Right guard Jonah Jackson arrived at Soldier Field wearing a long-sleeved No. 89 jersey.

All afternoon before kickoff, the analog clocks inside the stadium read 89:00, a tribute to the number Ditka wore during his Pro Football Hall of Fame career as a tight end. Ditka's No. 89 was retired by the Bears in December 2013. He was the final player to receive the honor as the Bears have retired more numbers than any other NFL franchise.

Current players have been wearing a No. 89 sticker on the back of their helmets since Week 5 and added a patch to honor Ditka over the heart of their navy jerseys.