Chicago Bear coach Iron Mike

By: Fransis Rodrigues

One of most famous head coaches for the Chicago Bears was Mike Ditka. His nickname is Iron Mike.

Chicago Bear coach Iron Mike was born Michael Keller Ditka, Jr. He was born on October 18, 1939 in Carnegie, Pennsylvania. He grew up in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh.
Chicago Bear coach Iron Mike did play college football. From 1958 to 1960, he played college ball for the University of Pittsburgh. He played tight end all 3 seasons. Most people consider him to be one of the best tight ends in college football. He did not only play tight end. He was also the team's punter. He was College All-American in his senior year. He was enshrined in the College Hall of Fame in 1986.

In 1960, Chicago Bear coach Iron Mike was drafted by the team that he would coach later: the Bears. When he played in his first season, he got 56 receptions. It is believed by many that he brought a new dimension to a position that had been dedicated to blocking, not catching. For next five seasons, he earned a place at the Pro Bowl. His 1963 Bear team won a NFL championship. He actually finished his NFL player career at Dallas Cowboys. He was part of the Cowboys team that won Super Bowl VI.

In 1988, his career as a NFL player was impressive enough to get him inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In his career, he made 427 receptions for 5,812 yards and 43 touchdowns. He actually became the first tight end ever to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Chicago Bear coach Iron Mike retired as a player in 1972. After retiring as a player, Chicago Bear coach Iron Mike was hired by the Dallas Cowboys as an assistant coach. He was an assistant to the head coach, Tom Landry. He spent nine seasons working for the Cowboys. When he was with the Cowboys, the team made the playoffs eight times, won six division titles and three NFC championships. He was there when they won a Super Bowl in 1977.

In 1982, Chicago Bear coach Iron Mike was hired by the Chicago Bears as a head coach. The owner wanted to reverse the dreary performance of the team in recent years. He certainly reversed their fortunes. They won six NFC Central titles and made three trips to the NFC Championship. His team crushed the New England Patriots 46 to 10 in Super Bowl XX. Ditka's 1985 Bear defense team was considered to be one of the best ever.

In 1992, Chicago Bear coach Iron Mike Ditka was fired by the Chicago Bears. He then became a sports commentator for NBC and has done various things such as acting in movies and trying to start a restaurant. In 2004, there were even thoughts that he might enter politics. How does President Iron Mike sound?

Fransis Rodrigues is the author of this article currently writing on Minnesota
vikings and Chicago bears. Visit today www.vikingslocker.com
and www.bearslocker.com for more informtion
on the subject.