Da tribute for Da Coach. The Chicago Bears played their first home game since Mike Ditka‘s death on October 9, hosting the New England Patriots on Thursday Night Football — and Soldier Field was transformed into a celebration of the legendary coach, mustaches and all.
Mike Ditka (Credits: ESPN / Getty Images)
Bears Honor Mike Ditka: Mustache Giveaway, No. 89 on the Field
The Bears pulled out all the stops for the first home game since the Hall of Fame tight end and Super Bowl-winning coach passed away at 86 of natural causes. A stadium-wide fake mustache giveaway paid homage to Ditka’s iconic facial hair, while the first 10,000 fans received knit headbands inspired by Ditka’s famous sweater vest. His No. 89 was stenciled onto the Soldier Field turf, an on-field flag and helmet decal marked the night, and the team will wear a No. 89 patch for the rest of the season.
Before kickoff, a moment of silence and a video tribute set the tone. “Tonight, we remember Mike Ditka, a Hall of Fame tight end and coach of the 1985 Super Bowl-champion Chicago Bears. Tough, strong and fearless, ‘Iron Mike’ will always belong to the Bears,” the PA announcer said. Fittingly, the opponent was New England — the team Ditka’s ’85 Bears beat in the Super Bowl.
Caleb Williams vs. Drake Maye Under the Lights
The game itself was a showdown between two of the NFL’s top young quarterbacks: Caleb Williams, back from a hamstring injury after throwing for 300+ yards against Atlanta, and Drake Maye, riding three straight Patriots wins. Both teams entered at 4-2. The Bears are 3-0 since Ditka’s passing — winning would have been exactly what the coach wanted most.
Source: ESPN — read the full story there.