{
  "id": 13437540,
  "title": "As Bears intend to build a dome, Mike Ditka would not approve",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/as-bears-intend-to-build-a-dome-mike-ditka-would-not-approve",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-10T14:38:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/bears-intend-build-dome-mike-143853819.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In December 1987, former NFL legend Mike Ditka expressed his disdain for playing football in indoor domes. He believed that football was meant to be played on grass outdoors, and that indoor domes were better suited for roller rinks. That same month, Ditka even skated through the Bears' offices in rollerblades a gift from Vikings GM Mike Lynn. The Bears went on to win a game against the Vikings at the Rollerdrome, 30-24, thanks to a late touchdown pass. Ditka emphasized that the victory was meant to take the pressure off the players and give it to him. He also made a point that coaches should bring levity and fun to the game, rather than taking it too seriously. Current Bears coach Ben Johnson seems to be embracing Ditka's message, as the team prepares to play an outdoor game against the Packers at Lambeau Field. The message is that football should be played on grass outdoors, and indoor domes should only be for roller rinks.",
  "summary": "The passing of larger-than-life NFL legend Mike Ditka has sparked a flood of great stories and clips from Ditka's time in football.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The A.V. Club",
        "title": "R.I.P. Mike Ditka, former head coach of the Chicago Bears",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/r-i-p-mike-ditka-former-head-coach-of-the-chicago-bears",
        "published": "2026-10-09T20:31:50.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBS News",
        "title": "A look at NFL legend Mike Ditka's legacy after his death at 86",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/a-look-at-nfl-legend-mike-ditkas-legacy-after-his-death-at-86",
        "published": "2026-10-09T23:47:21.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "NFL world, Bears fans across city remember Mike Ditka as a Chicago legend, football icon",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/nfl-world-bears-fans-across-city-remember-mike-ditka-as-a-chicago",
        "published": "2026-10-10T02:12:40.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}