The sports world is mourning the loss of legendary NFL coach Mike Ditka. On Friday, the man best known for his tenure as head coach of the Chicago Bears died at age 86. His loss was felt throughout the city, including by the Chicago Bulls.

Before the Bulls took on the Memphis Grizzlies in their second preseason game, the United Center paid homage to Ditka with a pregame moment of silence.

The Bulls hold a moment of silence for Mike Ditka @ClutchPoints pic.twitter.com/MBhZUy6MFX

— Zachary Draves (@DravesZachary) October 10, 2026

Words cannot begin to describe how much the Windy City adored Ditka. He is credited with helping to put the Bears on the map when he became head coach in 1982. In 1986, the Bears made that legendary run to the Super Bowl, led by a charismatic cast of characters like Payton, McMahon, Fridge, and the like.

Coincidentally, as Ditka and the Bears rose, the same was true for the Bulls. In 1985, after all, Michael Jordan was drafted. The rest is history, with 6 championships to show for it. Jordan and Payton became Chicago icons in their own right.

So both organizations were on the same trajectory at exactly the right moment in history.

After Ditka's passing, the Bulls issued an official statement, posted on X, formerly Twitter. It read in part: “Coach Ditka helped define Chicago sports, represented everything great about Chicago and left an unforgettable imprint on our city.”

We are deeply saddened by the passing of legendary Chicago Bears coach and player, Mike Ditka.

Coach Ditka helped define Chicago sports, represented everything great about Chicago and left an unforgettable imprint on our city.

He was tough, passionate, loyal and proud and will… pic.twitter.com/Px9N3BP4kS

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) October 9, 2026

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Ditka's passing comes the weekend before the Bears are set to play the rival Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday.

As cliché as it sounds, it rings true in this case: Da Coach was one of a kind.