Bears Will Honor Mike Ditka in Multiple Ways on Thursday Night
Thursday night marks the first Bears home game since the legendary coach and player died at age 86 on Oct. 9.
Mike Ditka, the former Chicago Bears player and coach, passed away at the age of 86 on October 9th. The Chicago Bears will pay tribute to Ditka in various ways during their Thursday night home game against the New England Patriots at Soldier Field. Fans who attend the game will receive a replica mustache to emulate Ditka's famous appearance, while the first 10,000 fans arriving will be given a headband resembling Ditka's signature knit sweater.
The crowd is expected to be adorned in Ditka-inspired attire, with some even donning Ditka lookalikes.
At home, fans will also be treated to a memorial as the Bears will feature a stencil of Ditka on the field and a video tribute showcasing the coach. The National Anthem will be played followed by a moment of silence to honor Ditka, as it has been for the past two games since his passing. The Bears' players will continue to wear a patch dedicated to Ditka for the remainder of the 2026 season.
The patch, featuring Ditka's retired No. 89 in the center of a football, is placed over the players' hearts and serves as a constant reminder of his legacy.
It is clear that the city of Chicago, and the Chicago Bears organization, deeply value Mike Ditka's contributions to the NFL. As both a player and a coach, Ditka remains a legend of the league, and his impact on the team and the city will be commemorated in multiple ways on Thursday night.
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