Special Tributes at Soldier Field
The Chicago Bears honored the life and legacy of legendary coach Mike Ditka on Thursday. It was the team's first home game since Ditka passed away on October 9.
Fans arriving at Soldier Field received special items to remember the famous coach. The first 10,000 supporters got knit headbands inspired by the iconic sweater Ditka wore during his 11 seasons coaching the team. Every fan in attendance also received a fake mustache.
Facing the Patriots
The fixture against the New England Patriots carried extra meaning for the franchise. Ditka led the 1985 squad to a victory over the Patriots in Super Bowl XX to win the team's first Lombardi Trophy.
Players and staff incorporated number 89 into the evening. Right guard Jonah Jackson arrived wearing a long-sleeved number 89 jersey. Analog clocks inside the stadium showed 89:00 before kickoff, honoring the number Ditka wore during his Hall of Fame career as a tight end.
Ongoing Memorials
The Bears retired Ditka's number 89 in December 2013, making him the final player in the franchise to receive that honor. The organization has retired more numbers than any other NFL team.
Current players have paid tribute on their uniforms for several weeks. They wore a number 89 sticker on the back of their helmets starting in Week 5, and added a patch over the heart of their navy jerseys to remember Ditka.
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