Chris Farley as Tom Arnold, Victoria Jackson as Roseanne on Saturday Night Live on October 20, 1990 | NBCUniversal via Live ...

The legendary NFL player, Bears coach, and cultural figure died October 9, 2026.

The men in the old Saturday Night Live skit would not have believed the news Friday. No, it can’t be true, Bill Swerski’s Superfans would’ve said. Mike Ditka can’t be gone.

Raised in a blue-collar Pennsylvania town, Mike Ditka earned a scholarship to Pitt and became "Da Coach" in Chicago. His family called him "the heart of our family" in announcing his death at 86.

The former tight end and Super Bowl champ was known for his mercurial temper.

The Big Slick party in 2024 began with a video of “Superfans” of “Da Bears” with, from left, Jason Sudeikis, Robert Smigel and George Wendt, who were joined by Chiefs Patrick Mahomes, standing, and ...

Iron Mike’ won NFL titles as a player and coach, worked for NBC, CBS and ESPN and inspired a recurring ‘SNL’ sketch.