Bears and Packers honour late coach Mike Ditka with tributes

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 11 Oct, 19:19 · Archive

The Chicago Bears wore No. 89 stickers on their helmets Sunday to pay tribute to Mike Ditka, who died Friday aged 86.

The Chicago Bears wore No. 89 helmet stickers during their game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday to honour Mike Ditka, the Hall of Famer who died on Friday aged 86. The Packers and Bears held a pregame moment of silence.

Many Bears fans who travelled to the game at Lambeau Field wore No. 89 jerseys, the number Ditka wore while playing tight end for the Bears from 1961 to 1966. One season ticket holder from Oak Park, Illinois, said it was 'a very emotional time' and bought his ticket the day of Ditka's death specifically to pay respects.

Bears coach Ben Johnson said Friday that Ditka remained 'the gold standard in terms of this place' and that his impact was still being felt. Ditka coached the Bears from 1982 to 1992 and revolutionised the tight end position. His 1985 Bears won the franchise's only Super Bowl title and remain one of the most iconic teams in NFL history.

How it is being reported

• Bears-Packers game features tributes to Mike Ditka on the field and in the standsThe Chicago Bears wore No. 89 stickers on the backs of their helmets Sunday to pay tribute to former tight and and coach Mike Ditka two days after the Hall of Famer died at the age of 86.Clickorlando · 11 Oct, 18:43
• Bears-Packers game features tributes to Mike Ditka on the field and in the standsThe Chicago Bears wore No. 89 stickers on the backs of their helmets Sunday to pay tribute to former tight and and coach Mike Ditka two days after the Hall of Famer died at the age of 86.News4Jax · 11 Oct, 18:43

In this story: Mike Ditka · Chicago Bears · Green Bay Packers · Ben Johnson · Lambeau Field

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