CHICAGO -- The Bears honored the life and legacy of legendary coach Mike Ditka on Thursday in a manner fitting of "Da Coach."
Ahead of the team's first home game since Ditka's death Oct. 9, the first 10,000 fans who arrived at Soldier Field were given knit headbands inspired by the iconic Bears sweater that Ditka made famous during his 11 seasons coaching in Chicago. The team also handed out fake mustaches to every fan in attendance.
Fittingly, the Bears hosted the New England Patriots on "Thursday Night Football," the opponent Ditka's 1985 squad beat in Super Bowl XX to earn the franchise's first Lombardi Trophy. Right guard Jonah Jackson arrived at Soldier Field wearing a long-sleeved No. 89 jersey.
@jonahjackson73 reppin' Da Coach 🤝 https://t.co/7WjFZBbV1u
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 22, 2026
Mustaches are out in full force for Mike Ditka. NEvsCHI on Prime Video Stream on @NFLPlus https://t.co/xRZbGndX6c
— NFL (@NFL) October 23, 2026
All afternoon before kickoff, the clocks inside the stadium read 89:00, a tribute to the number Ditka wore during his Pro Football Hall of Fame career as a tight end. Ditka's No. 89 was retired by the Bears in December 2013. He was the final player to receive the honor as the Bears have retired more numbers than any other NFL franchise.
Current players have been wearing a No. 89 sticker on the back of their helmets since Week 5 and added a patch to honor Ditka over the heart of their navy jerseys.
