Da Coach: Bears pay homage to Mike Ditka at first home game since coach's death

Mike Ditka: What Happened

ESPN reported on Sunday, October 25, 2026 in a story involving Mike Ditka, Bears. Here is how the report opens:

The Bears played their first home game Thursday since Mike Ditka's death Oct. 9.

It is one of many NFL stories we are following today. Below are the key takeaways, how the story is being reported across the sport, background on National Football League and what to watch next.

Key Takeaways

• The story: Da Coach: Bears pay homage to Mike Ditka at first home game since coach's death
• Who’s involved: Mike Ditka and Bears
• League: NFL
• First reported: Sunday, October 25, 2026 by ESPN

Background: National Football League

The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The NFL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada and is the premier American football league in the world. Each NFL season begins annually with a three-week preseason in August, followed by an 18-week regular season, which runs from early September to early January, with each team playing 17 games and having one bye week.

Text from Wikipedia’s National Football League article, CC BY-SA 4.0.

What’s Next for Mike Ditka

For fans following Mike Ditka, the next things to watch are the injury report, depth chart, trade rumors and playoff picture. Stories like this one tend to move quickly, so check back for follow-up reports and reaction as more outlets pick it up.

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