The passing of legendary Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka brought out tons of great stories including from rival coach Dan Campbell. Head coach Ben Johnson also chimed in, sharing what Ditka means to the city.
CBS Sports commentator Jim Nantz had an opportunity to speak on Ditka's passing, sharing a story with Kevin Clark of ESPN2 that will regale fans of the legendary coach. Nantz worked with Ditka for three years on the NFL Today set.
“Mike, he just has that look that he's a tough guy…But people would approach him…He was kind to everyone, but he had a toughness about him that, you saw it as a player, as a coach and as a broadcaster.
“But, I'll tell you how bada** he was,” Nantz said to Clark. “I noticed early on that all he carried were one hundred dollar bills. Buy a beer at the bar, on the way to dinner; hundred dollars, keep the change. Man on the street, homeless, there was one guy who kinda understood the routine that he was there every week, every time, hundred dollar bill,” he continued.
Nantz finally asked him why he never got change for his hundred dollar bills.
Article Continues Below“What's the difference, anyway?” Ditka replied to “He said, ‘You know, the way I look at it, when I die…I hope there's a little opening in that coffin, and I my last hundred dollar bill comes flying out and goes up into the sky and drifts away, and that would make me happy.”
Coach Johnson and the Bears will have an opportunity to honor Ditka's legacy with a win in Green Bay on October 11 at Lambeau Field. Fans should expect an emotional scene between two of the NFL's greatest all-time rivals, and plenty of memories to be shared about Ditka as the two NFC North foes renew hostilities, and kinship, in Wisconsin.