Mike Ditka (Photo by Kena Krutsinger/Getty Images)
Legendary NFL coach Mike Ditka and his family are setting the record straight about rumors of his health.
Over the weekend, a rumor emerged claiming the legendary Chicago Bears tight end entered hospice care and that the end of his life was near.
Ditka has battled a number of health ailments in the past, including suffering a mild heart attack in 2018. Ditka also had a heart attack in 1988 and suffered a minor stroke in 2012.
Luckily, rumors swirling about Mike Ditka were not true.
According to a report from Jarrett Payton, the son of legendary Bears running back Walter Payton, the report claiming Ditka is in hospice care is “not true.”
“I’ve seen reports claiming that Mike Ditka has entered hospice care. I can confirm that these reports are not true,” Payton announced on social media.
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Even still, fans sent their prayers out for him.
“Da Coaccccchhhhh is alive and well..” one fan gloriously stated.
“Mike Ditka’s career is marked by his significant contributions to football, both as a player and coach, making him one of the most iconic figures in NFL history. More Importantly Chicago Bear history, let’s keep coach in our prayers! -George,” one fan wrote.
“PRAYERS FOR DITKA: as Chicago Bears legendary TE and DA Coach turned 85 last month, recent rumors have indicated Iron Mike Ditka’s health is in decline and he has recently entered hospice care. Everyone please keep Coach Ditka in your family’s prayers,” another fan stated.
“Keeping Coach Ditka and his family in my prayers,” one fan said.
“Prayers up for Coach and Iron Mike Ditka..,” a fourth fan said.
“Prayers for Coach Ditka,” another commenter said.
A fifth fan wrote, “Prayers for Mike Ditka🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽.”
A sixth person added, “Prayers up for Mike Ditka and his friends and family…”
If that wasn’t good enough, Ditka’s wife, Diana, told the Chicago Sun-Times that he was not in hospice.
“But my husband is NOT in hospice,” Diana told the paper.
Mike Ditka Is A Legend On The Field As A Player And A Coach
Prayers are being sent to Mike Ditka’s way amid his health issues.
The Hall of Fame tight end had quite the career both as a player and a coach.
Ditka played 12 seasons in the NFL and made the Pro Bowl five times. He finished with 427 receptions for 5,812 yards and 43 touchdowns.
Despite his playing career, Ditka might be best known for his coaching career.
He coached the Bears and the New Orleans Saints, finishing with a 121-95 record in 14 years, and he led Chicago to the Super Bowl title after the 1985 season.
Prominent NFL Agent Flames Mike Ditka For Wearing A ‘White Hood’ After Comments on Kneeling Players (TWEET)
(Photo by Kena Krutsinger/Getty Images)
Mike Ditka is in some hot water today following his national anthem kneeling remarks.
Ditka, the Pro Football Hall of Famer, had a blunt message for anyone who kneels for the national anthem.
“If you can’t respect our national anthem, get the hell out of the country,” Ditka told TMZ Sports. “That’s the way I feel. Of course, I’m old fashioned, so I’m only going to say what I feel.”
The 80-year-old has previously said that he has “no respect” for Colin Kaepernick. The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback began kneeling for the national anthem in 2016.
“I have no respect for Colin Kaepernick – he probably has no respect for me, that’s his choice” Ditka said of Kaepernick in 2016. “My choice is, I like this country, I respect our flag, and I don’t see all the atrocities going on in this country that people say are going on.”
David Mulugheta, a prominent NFL agent and the president of Athletes First, did not like Ditka’s comments, so he took to Twitter and completely flamed him.
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“This doesn’t surprise me at all. Mike Dikta traded his helmet in for a white hood as soon as he retired from football. Racism hiding behind faux patriotism is still racism,” the NFL agent said on Twitter.
