Mike Ditka, NFL Hall of Famer, dies at age 86 in Naples
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 9, 2026, 5:42 PM
Last updated Oct 9, 2026
Mike Ditka, the legendary NFL coach and tight end, died on October 9 at age 86 in Naples, Florida, where he lived for over two decades. Known for his coaching of the Chicago Bears and his role in the 1985 Super Bowl-winning team, Ditka was also involved in community events, such as a wine label debut at Shula's Steak House in 2013. His passing marks the loss of one of football's iconic figures, alongside fellow Hall of Famer Don Shula, who died in 2020. Ditka's contributions to the sport left a lasting legacy in both the NFL and the Naples community.
- •Mike Ditka died on October 9 at age 86.
- •He lived in Naples, Florida, for over 20 years.
- •Ditka was a Hall of Fame coach and tight end.
- •He famously coached the 1985 Super Bowl-winning Bears.
- •Ditka's legacy includes community events and his wine label.
- 5:42 PMYahoo Sports — Mike Ditka made Naples his home for over 20 years
"Mike Ditka stopped by Shula's Steak House one late afternoon in March 2013, just a few miles down from his own Ditka's Steakhouse along U.S. 41.
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