Mike Ditka

Bio:
Mike Ditka (born Michael Dyczko on October 18, 1939) is a former football player, a coach and TV commentator. He was chosen in round 1 of the 1961 draft by the Chicago Bears. He played for the Bears from ’61 to ’66, the Philadelphia Eagles for a season and the Dallas Cowboys 1969 to 1972. Mike then coached the Cowboys from ’73 to ’81 as an assistant before becoming the head coach for the Chicago Bears. He was dismissed from the Bears in 1992. He immediately took a broadcasting job with NBC as an analyst on NFL Live and other NBC Sports broadcasts. In 1997, Mike was hired by the New Orleans Saints as the head coach. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988. Mike is currently a commentator on ESPN’s NFL Live, ESPN’s Sunday NFL Football Countdown and a CBS radio  show. He has most recently been very outspoken about Colin Kaepernick’s peaceful protest by kneeling for the National Anthem. Mike told a radio show, “I have no respect for Colin Kaepernick…I think it’s a problem, anybody who disrespects this country and the flag.”

Best Known For:
Mike Ditka is best known for being a decorated former NFL football player and coach.

Personal Life:
In the midst of his successful 1988 season with the Chicago Bears, Mike suffered a heart attack. In 2012 he also suffered a minor stroke. He is a practicing Roman Catholic. Mike described himself as “ultra-ultra-ultra conservative” and even considered running against Barack Obama for a seat in the U.S. Senate for Illinois in 2004. Mike married Marge Ditka in 1961. They separated in 1973. Mike is currently married to Diana Ditka. The two were married in 1977. Marge and Mike have four children together: Mike III, Mark, Megan and Matt.