Mike Ditka and his Bears teams have memorable history with Packers

Mike Ditka, a legendary figure in the Chicago Bears, passed away at the age of 86, leaving behind a legacy as both a Hall of Fame player and a Super Bowl-winning coach. From 1982 to 1992, Ditka led the Bears through a period when the Green Bay Packers were significantly behind in the NFL hierarchy, despite the ongoing rivalry between the two franchises.

Throughout the 10 seasons Ditka spent coaching the Bears, the team only had two losing seasons. During this time, the Packers won only five times against the Bears. Five notable matchups between the two teams during Ditka's tenure include:

1. The debut of "The Fridge", William Perry, in a 23-7 victory over the Packers on Monday Night Football. Perry not only scored his first career touchdown as an offensive player but also made a significant block on Packers linebacker George Cumby.

2. Rookie Ken Stills' controversial hit on Matt Suhey, which occurred well after the whistle during a game that ended with a Super Bowl victory for the Bears. Stills later recalled the significance of this game, saying it meant a lot to everyone involved.

3. Walter Payton's impressive performance in a 16-10 Bears victory, which included running for 192 yards and scoring the winning touchdown. In 2011, Stills mentioned that people often asked him about this particular hit.

4. A late hit from Packers defensive end Charles Martin on Bears quarterback Jim McMahon, which resulted in Martin being ejected and suspended for two games. McMahon, however, sustained a torn rotator cuff and was lost for the rest of the season.

5. The infamous "Instant Replay Game" in 1989, often referred to as such by Bears fans. With only a minute left on the clock, Don Majkowski's pass to Sterling Sharpe was initially ruled incomplete due to a penalty flag. However, after reviewing the play on instant replay, officials declared it legal, ultimately leading to a 14-13 Packers win.

The intense rivalry between Ditka's Bears and the Packers extended beyond the field, with tensions between coaches Forrest Gregg and Ditka remaining strong long after their coaching careers had ended.