VIDEO: Mike Ditka's Amazing 63-Yard Catch and Run in 1963 Named Among NFL's 100 Greatest Plays
By Sam Dunn
Long before he coached the 1985 Bears to a Super Bowl title or became a larger-than-life folk hero thanks to Bill Swerski's Superfans on "Saturday Night Live," Mike Ditka was a bruising, relentless tight end. A five-time Pro Bowler, Ditka was a key player in the Bears' 1963 NFL championship run, and no play exemplified his merciless style more than this 63-yard eye-popper that begs for repeat viewings.
As you can see, dudes are just bouncing off of him like they're nothing. For his troubles, Ditka's brilliant highlight was selected as the 69th-greatest play in NFL history this week by the league.
That No. 89 jersey of his would eventually be retired by the team, and in 1988, he became the first tight end ever to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. All told, his playing career wrapped with 427 catches for 5,812 yards to go along with 43 touchdowns and six All-Pro nods.
Hurricane Ditka brings serious force.
Don't say you were never warned.