These die hard fans may get the last laugh:
Monday, October 6, 1997CHICAGO (AP) -- Da Coach 20, Da Bears 17.
Mike Ditka got revenge in his first game against the franchise that fired him almost five years ago, as his New Orleans Saints defeated Chicago on Heath Shuler's 89-yard touchdown pass to Randal Hill with 5:39 to play Sunday night.
Moments after a livid Ditka screamed at an official for what he felt was a bad penalty call, the coach was pumping his fist in celebration of Hill's leaping catch over Tom Carter.
The always-animated Ditka, who became a Chicago icon when he coached the Bears to victory in the 1986 Super Bowl, spent much of the game agonizing over his team's poor play. The Saints (2-4) blew a 13-3 fourth-quarter lead, committed three turnovers and failed to convert a single third down.
In the end, however, New Orleans won for the second time in three games while Ditka's former team fell to 0-6.
The Bears must defeat defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay next week to avoid matching the worst start in their 78-year history. They lost their first seven games in 1969, when they finished 1-13 for their worst season ever.
Many of the 58,865 fans at Soldier Field were there not to see the free-falling home team but to salute Ditka -- also known as Iron Mike or, simply, Da Coach.
There were signs nominating "DITKA FOR PRESIDENT" and declaring the game "THE MIKE DITKA SHOW." And fans cheered loudly as he entered and left the field.
Ditka For Senate? It's No JokeJuly 13, 2004 - Last week, the news of former Bears coach Mike Ditka possibly running as a Republican candidate for the United States Senate was greeted in some quarters with a polite chuckle.
"Da Coach", though, isn't laughing.
NBC5's Marion Brooks reported on Monday that Ditka is talking about taking the place of Jack Ryan, who withdrew from the race amid allegations of forcing his wife to go to sex clubs.
"I don't know, but I'll make a decision by the end of the week" Ditka (pictured, right) said at his restaurant on Chestnut Street. "It is serious stuff -- it's not a funny thing and it is a great honor to be considered."
Video:Ditka Ponders Candidacy
If Ditka makes a run, Brooks reported that he would use his own money. Ditka said dipping into his own bank account doesn't bother him.
"I'm not worried about that," he added.
Diane Ditka, the former coach's wife, is the other major consideration in Ditka's decision. Last week, she said the chance of her husband running was "slim and none -- and slim just left."