Is Ditka a traitor?

I don't see anything wrong with Ditka ostensibly not taking sides for tomorrow's game. He obviously feels as if he was treated unfairly in both cities; whether or not he's right can only be determined by history.

In any case, I actually respect Ditka for being able to keep up at least a public front of objectivity regarding who he's rooting for. Because of his position and his past, it adds some much-needed credibility to what he says on the air (which, I agree, is rarely especially impressive).

Besides, calling Ditka a traitor would make no sense--he didn't retire from the Bears. I can understand not wanting be loyal to an organization fronted by someone who fired me.

Mike Ditkus is only concerned with the money. And, has no loyalty to the city that made him and his partners tons of money.

The only time he aligns himself with the Bears is when he tries to help stomp out a smoking ban in Chicago, promote the Rush and his overpriced grill. And, sell his 'namesake' wines, cigars, hot sauce, and other merchandise. If people that buy the Ditkus brand would look at the ingredients in his crap, they would see they're buying something which could have been sold at Aldi's.

Who cares what Ditka thinks about this.

He should take the Bears out of loyalty I suppose after all he did strap the pads on for them back in the day. It shows a lack of fortitude not to choose one or the other. One could make a good guess on the outcome mearly based on statistics ask the odds makers how that's done. If ole Mike is going to remain neutral in this game for the TV audiences, most of whom will be cheering the Saints on, I don't care. I would like to think that in his heart, not because of '85, but because of 89, the time he spent playing on the field, he will want the Bears to win. If not..who really cares?

I do dig his beer commercials

Bear Down

I wouldn't exactly want my old employer to do a better job without me. I still get a little satisfaction when a former co-worker tell me that the old place is a crappy place to work. Ditka has a couple hundred people tell him each day how he was the best coach they ever had and they wish he was still Da Coach. That's why Lovie has it so hard from some fans. I think a lot of these guys from 85 get a lot of residue appreciation along with free meals,drinks and lord knows what. I ain't a hater believe me. But thank You,now go away. I wouldn't expect Ditka to bite the hand that fed him or feed into any BEARS' frenzy. I might be over my ex but I don't need to watch her kiss the new boyfriend. GO BEARS!!!

Part of the issue here is the media and the 20% of Bears fans who fall into his "Grabowski camp" have somehow made this guy into a legend. Except for 1985, his Bear teams were complete under-achievers. He essentially ruined the Saints as their coach by making that ridiculous trade for Ricky Williams. If you really do some digging, Bear fans with an IQ over 10 couldn't care less what he thinks.

Da coach is just showing why we love him.He is telling it like it is.He never was a politician.

Roman responds: Never a politician? He nearly ran for the Senate a few years ago.

Ditka should move on! With that said it should also be noted that the McCaskey Family is the most dysfunctional group in the NFL. Who can forget Michael McCaskey breaking apart the 1985 team starting with Wilber Marshall. A team that was capable of winning more than one Super Bowl. The day of rejoicing will be the day the McCaskey Family is out of the NFL!

Based solely on the Telander article I say no. Heck no! He says he'd be ok either way. What's wrong with that? What's he supposed to do? Be a drooling groupie? There are way too many of those already. Thanks for the trophy Mike! I knew during that season there would be a 20+ year wait for the next one so I lived it up big time and I'm glad I did. You helped me shut a lot of big mouths and win a lot of bets. Most of all I enjoyed seeing a bunch of quality guys work hard and achieve greatness. Even more they were my Bears. Here's to you coach!

Roman responds: How in the world did you know there would be such a long wait? Most observers thought the Bears had a good chance to repeat. That group generally is considered a huge group of underachievers for not winning a single playoff game until three years later. They were great that year, though.

I'm 55, I grew up in Chicago and moved to the burbs. I now live just inside N.W. Indiana. I've been a bear fan all my life.

When I think of Ditka I think of Bears much more so than thinking of the Saints.

I believe Mike is entitled to not share an opinion... after all he has personally been involved with both cities.
I also wonder what I will do if both the Bears and the Colts are in a Superbowl.

I firmly believe if Mike felt the Bears were going to win he would not hesitate to say so. He is outspoken.
He has interests in Chicago, He lives in the area, he's never withheld an opinion (well maybe he has bit his lip a few times when forced) but I have to truly believe no opinion defaults to saying he thinks the Saints can beat the Bears this weekend.

Does anyone really care what Ditka thinks? towards the end of his coaching days in Chicago and while in New Orleans he was like the Bobby Knight of the NFL, he let his ego run wild. Let him fade away to oblivion at the Majestic Star Casino.

I have to agree with William and Darryl on this one. He didn't retire a Bear coach, he was fired and left with a very bitter taste. And to compound the matter, the people responsible (the McCaskey Family) are still there and would profit from the Bears success. Roman, if the Sun-Times fired you, and you felt that they were underhanded in dealing with the situation, you would be feeling the same way. Atleast when I hear him evaluate the Bears, he is still fair and doesn't rant against then as if he has some agenda. I also appreciate the fact that he's honest and not just trying to make a buck off the fact that Bears fans want him to root for the Bears.

Roman responds: Well, he did come out today as a Bears fan. And I'm wondering how much of that was due to the fact he probably would have lost a few bucks at his Chicago restaurant.

The great thing about sports is that it allows a diversion from everyday problems and issues.
It permits us the luxury to consider things like how Ditka feels about the important sports questions of the day.
Well, guess what. Some of us sports fans really don't care what he thinks. The fact that some people still value his thoughts just perpetuates his myth. He has created one of the greatest scams of our time. A walking billboard, he is a shameless self-promoter who has hawked more products than a Maxwell Street vendor. And, to his credit, he has maintained the same image as those gum-throwing days in the NFL. What a con job. And the public buys it.
Didn't he say that only a loser lives in the past? That's okay with those Neanderthals who adore "da coach".
Go Saints.

Ditka has hot sauce? I guess his "Ka-ching" will never cease. I wonder what Old BEAR still root for the team. Jimmy Mac played for so many teams who knows who he root for. Hot sauce? GO BEARS!!!!

Coach D has always worn his heart on his sleeve regarding "his Bears"... and what?....got it ripped out by "business decisions"... and business professors. So I do not blame him. If the current Bears wanted to do the RIGHT THING, and deserve his support they would invite back in to the "family" and perhaps "evict" certain mealy-mouther S.O.B's.
He could be a consultant, PR man, whatever. Put his statue out where it belongs. Honor the man who used to LOVE his Bears, but like so many, got jilted by his first love.

Enjoy him for what he is... a heck of a personality and fun.

Does anyone besides Mike North really care what Mike Ditka does or says anymore. Time to get over a overrated coach. Buddy Ryan's defense won the super bowl.

Although I am not a religious scholar, there does appear to be some divine intervention taking place, so here is what I see.

First, the Saints do not do well against the run. They have a small fast defense that is one of the best against the pass, with the exception of Fred Thomas. Shawn Alexander, Seattle's running back, ran for two touchdowns against the Bears, probably the best run defenses in the NFL. The kick that won the game for Chicago was veering right and then hooked left like the wind helped keep it on target. We match up better against Chicago than Seattle, so was the wind heaven sent? Further, LT and San Diego were knocked out of the playoffs. It couldn't line up better for the Saints.

Next, how long did the Jewish people wander the desert following the Exodus from Egypt prior to finding the promise land? 40 years. How long have the Saints been around? 40 years.

Finally, what I feel draws it all together is that the saints are the only team in the NFL named after a Christian belief: Sainthood. Is this year's Saints team heaven sent?

The Bears are a great team with the exception of an inconsistent quaterback. It should be a great game.

I could not agree more with Mr. Donald, except for the fact that finally, finally, the Saints' organization has an awesome coaching staff and every man on that team believes in himself as well as each other. We do not see any one of them taking credit (individually) for the team's success. Further more, most of us fans will be in church before the game and that's some pretty powerful stuff. GEAUX SAINTS!

Please stop with this Ditka worship, already. He's always been a media hound. I don't really care if he sides with the Bears or Saints. Ok, he brought us a Super Bowl. That was what? 21 years ago? If you really listen to him on ESPN, he brings nothing to the table. He's just living off of his past and of the people who want to bow down and kiss his feet. Was he treated badly by Mike McCaskey? Yes. But then again, I'm sure alot of coaches have been screwed by onwership. It comes with the job. Get over it already, and please, just go away finally. Lovie is "Da Coach" now.

Ditka ain't dumb...he don't wanna pick a looser. Even though he lives in Chicago, he knows da bears are outta their league this time.

Nuff said.

Roman responds: He picked the Bears today.

Don't forget...Mike Ditka was the Saints coach for one season. He didn't win much, but he was here, too.

Did we watch the same game? Seattle gave the ball to the Bears four times. You can't win games fumbling and having passes intercepted. So far, the Saints have committed neither of these errors to any great extent. Hopefully, they won't on Sunday, either.

Ditka is not a traitor!

The Saints are a better team!
Dree Brees is a much better Quarterback than Rex Grossman; and if you don't believe that at least he is MUCH more consistent in his play than the Chicago signal caller.

Mike Ditka did select the Saints Team to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl in February, 2007 and rightfully so.

NOW, LET'S SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN THIS SUNDAY!!!!

Just remember, if the Saints make it to the Superbowl in 40 years, it took the Pittsburg Steelers 42 years to get there. Check the Chicago Suntimes poll on who Chicago resisdents think will win the game on Sunday.

Saints fans have been waiting a long time to be competitive. Except for sporadic performances they haven't been a solid team in their 40 year history. One thing I do believe, regardless of who wins on Sunday; the Bears will know that they played a solid team this time!

When Ditka was in NAWLINs' Too much of that loser mentality rubbed off on him. I'm sorry that Ditka couldn't make "DAT" into Shinola but he knows where to go to live among the winners. Where Dat At? CHICAGO. GO BEARS!!!

Who cares? Ditka ranks up there as the one of the worst coaches of the saints...and that is a bold statement. He is a horrible coach that has been fired by both teams, and the game has past him by, like twenty years ago. He appeared on a magazine with ricky williams in a wedding dress. Dave campo could have brought the 85 bears to the superbowl. That team was loaded. Saints will win this weekend...I will predict for you

Ditka sucked as the Saints coach. He had 3 seasons in New Orleans, not one. He was fun, but was living on his laurels when at NO. I have waited 40 years for the Saints to get this far. There is no team that lost it's home stadium due to a hurricane, went 3-13, then turned it around in one year and make it to the NFC championship game. This will be the "greatest sports story" of all time when the Saints beat daBears and find themselves at the Super Bowl in Miami on Feb 4.
NO ONE could have ever predicted this one, baby!
GEAUX SAINTS!!!!

Chicago, get a grip.
You are down to one and out.

With spirit the Saints have now they will be hard to beat.

Touche Roman.I should say he never was a good politician.

Mike Ditka is, was and will always be a BEAR. He's entitled to his opinion and to withold it. We still live in the U.S.A., right? I personally think he just doesn't want to add any pressure and expectations to this team. I didn't think he was the greatest coach around, but I still love the guy. He is part of the BEAR past, and proud of it.
I would like to say Kudos to both B. Dempsey and Rose White for such a classy act in supporting the disabled patriot fund. What a great statement, thanks to you both.

I think that what Da Coach said earlier in the week was just stupid and jealous. He since has changed his tune, which is nice to hear. We love Da coach, not for what he says but for how he played and coached our Bears. I was mad as hell when he said he was not rooting for the Bears. I mean he played here he was given the coaching reigns by Hallas because he loved Ditka. It was scary, but he is back to Iron mike of Chicago. It was never about money when we loved him, so it should'nt be now!

Remember his perm and dui?

Ditka against 10,000,000 Chicago Area Residents:
Dikta 35 Residents 0

Ditka is a bad caricature of himself. Ask yourself how many times he was outcoached by gibbs and walsh? How could you care what he thinks now? He actually made landry and abramawitz offensive coordinators, hard to find people you're smarter than when you're da coacchh. Maybe the 85 bears could have repeated if Ditka cared more about winning than his ego and endorsements. He may be right about the Mcaskeys but they should have fired him sooner. He's still primarily concerned with enriching himself, bears fans are just a source of money and attention.

I don't need Mike Ditka's blessing to be a Bears fan. I have been loyal for 40 years and have never gotten paid a nickel for it. If Ditka can only root for the Bears when they are paying him then to hell with him. By the way, Thanks for not giving the ball to Walter in the Super Bowl coach.

Da Coach tells it like it is! We all know where Ditka is coming from now. He's trying to back out of his original statement now but I don't buy it! Not one bit! Now we all have to live with the jinx.

COME ON, DITKA IS AND ALWAYS WIL BE A 100% CHICAGIO BEAR'S FAN. HE LOVES CHICAGO AND WE LOVE HIM. HE WOULD LOVE NOTHING MORE THAN TO SEE THE BEARS WIN IT ALL. IT SHOULD NOT EVEN BE AN ISSUE !!

I think Ditka owes his support to the city of Chicago and the Bears as a franchise for putting up with him and showing him so much love for such a long time. After all, we supported his whole Graboski phase, right?

I live in Pensacola, Florida, lived 8 years in Louisiana. I've also had the pleasure of working with Mr Ditka filming some Burger King commercials down here. I'm not a rabid Bears fan but I've always loved and deeply respected the franchise and it's fans. Clearly the cinderblock of the NFL. So, as an outsider, I see Ditka as kind of the Tommy Lasorda or Red Auerbach of the Bears. Not in terms of tenure but it in terms of (a) loyalty to the logo and (b) a precise personification of the character of the team. He LOVED the Bears. He didn't have to be the coach or a player. He LOVED the Bears when he played for the Cowboysl He LOVED the Bears when he coached the Saints. He's got what I call a Halas Heart. I know nothing about the Bears owners. Our team is owned by an eccentric car dealer who dances with an umbrella. I Believe Ditka is being publically ambivalent because he thinks the Saints could win. Maybe they will. Maybe not. Don't matter. the Saints have already won a game much bigger than any Superbowl. In this day and age it's rare to find one who'll pledge a heart to a franchise. Phil Jackson, Pat Rielly, Bill Parcells, Nomar, Nick Saban - all shameful examples of men who are loyal to no one but their wallets. Ditka likes to make a buck. So what if he sells hot sauce? He may not love the owners, but he loves that team - unconditionally.

Ditka is not a traitor, he's jealous because he feel that he was the only person to lead the Bears to a Super Bowl. He need to be happy for the hard work that the team has done and celebrate with them. Keep up the good work and you will receive the respect.

Ditka is not a traitor. He is a bear and will always be a bear. He probably would've retired as the bears coach if he hadn't been screwed by the bears leadership. Maybe it wouldn't have taken 21 yaers to make it back to the super bowl.

"Mike Ditkus is only concerned with the money. And, has no loyalty to the city that made him and his partners tons of money."

D-I-T-K-A (for the impaired). I think Mr. Ditka took the heat for a colossally bad last few seasons, bad drafts, and bad personnel decisions by the front office. He took the heat for the weasels in Brooks Brothers' suits, who unceremoniously dumped his a$$ after they could no longer play the "blame it on Ditka" card without firing him. In other words, he played ball and got $crewed. I don't balme him one bit for harboring hostility with the McCaskey clan that allowed him to be laid upon the slab. Shame on them! Ditka isn't after money... he's after a long overdue apology (that he will likely never get from them).

Roman responds: I'm not sure where it originated, but Ditka has been called "Ditkus" before as a joke.

Ditka is a traitor. Michael Irvin always sides with the Cowboys. Dikta played for and coached the BEARS and even owns a restaurant among other things in the Chicagoland area. Ditka lost some points with me. Hopefully the 2006-2007 BEARS win it all so Da Former Coach will not be the only Chicago SuperBowl Winning Coach! The 1985 team was not the Ditka Bears but the Chicago Bears. GO BEARS

Tom Vaitys- Mike Ditka is as much a baby as he is (and for that matter was) a substandard coach. Yeah that’s right and hopefully he gets antiquated soon.

If Marv Leevy, Bill Parcels, Mike Holmgren or any number of other guys were coaching the mid 80's Bears they would have won or at least appeared at more than one Super Bowl hands down with that kind of talent. Of course Mike knows how to dish out plenty smack but he sure can't deal with it coming back at him. Remember what he said after the Redskins game in 1991 about the Bears not winning anymore games!

Mike why don't you stuff a steak in that moustache mouth of yours and see how a true gentleman behaves in two weeks.

By the way---Where is Lovie Smith’s pay raise- having this man earn the lowest salary of any head coach in the NFL is an embarrassment- chalk him up some Do Re Mi

The Bears won the Superbowl 21 years ago in spite of Ditka. He's been exposed as not being one of the sharpest NFL minds around. He's a horrible evaluator of talent and you put anyone else as coach on that team, they still would have won the Superbowl.

That being said, he's still a Bears hall of famer. Awesome as a player, very over-rated as a coach.

Lovie Smith will never (NEVER) eclipse, or come anywhere near the definition of the term "eclipse" Ditka. Lovie Smith has done an awesome job, however, they can beat the colts by a score of 50-0...and it doesn't change the fact that this Bears team isn't S Q U A T compared to the 85 team! These Bears "got by" when getting to this game! The 85 boys didn't even need an offense to take the field. That, is not an opinion! I doubt Ditka's problem even remotely concerns Lovie.

aj,the 85 BEARS had the highest scoring O in the league that year. They had Offense. No team has been squat compared to the 85 BEARS. The 86 BEARS were exactly the same as the 85 BEARS WITH the addition of Bell and Harris who were not allowed to be free to do anything but sign with the BEARS. We had an ever better team the next year and failed to do anything with the talent. Jim McMahon was hurt in 86 just like in 85 ,but we made do then and why not 86. Buddy Ryan gave the D that swagger that everyone talks about. Ditka did not. You wonder why they called him SYBIL. As the coach it was on him to gather all that talent and do something with it. Those egos that you love so much couldn't get together long enough and repeat what should have been easy to do. They cared more about money and credit and failed to do what you could not do at your own job. Production should never drop.Their's did. You guys who sit here and put 85 on a pedestal are the main reason this team didn't do squat after 85. You told them they were so great that they didn't have to try any harder. You did not DEMAND they get you another Superbowl and they didn't. You shook their hand and told them how happy you were for what they DID. All along you never demanded that they do it again. Your Fault. That talent didn't even leave for several years. Some of you guys are like Napolean Dynamite's uncle,living on the glory of some bygone team. Don't you at least feel stupid bragging about what a team did only ONCE. No one cares if you bagged the homecoming queen once,20 years after you graduated. If she had 4 kids and 3 baby-daddys she ain't exactly grade"A" anymore. Every year you guys talk about how no team is better than the 85 BEARS... SO WHAT!! What did the 85 BEARS get you? What does it all mean in 2006-07. 21 years of this stuff is beyond ridiculous. I hope and pray that this team win it all so you can have some new memories. But the saddest thing of all is you guys who will still bring up 85 regardless. Sad,Sad,sad. GO BEARS!!!!

Why all the "upsettedness" LOL! I know that isn't a word :) All I'm saying (about Ditka) is he will never have a reason to hang is head! No,,,,the '86 Bears weren't the same as the ;85 Bears!! If that were the case, haveing the same hungry attitude, intensity, etc...then they would have won again! My point about their offense never having to take the field came from the fact that >>How do you think the offense was in position to score so much??!! Jim McMan?? BWAAA! He wasn't even a QB by real standards! He couldn't throw a spiral to save his life!
Ditka had what is widely regarded as the best defensive team in NFL history! And this is coming from a Dolphins fan! I wish the '72 Phins had the talent and ferocity the the 85 Bears did! My '72 phins weren't HALF the men the the Bears were!

aj,we did not lose anyone of substance but Leslie Frazier. We practically brought back every starter on O and D but him. WHY ,didn't we do it again? Walter Payton left,Walter Payton Right and Walter Payton down the middle. That was our O besides timely passing from all our QBs both years. We got Neal Anderson and Thomas Sanders to compliment Walter in 86. It was up to Ditka to get all that talent ready to play every game. He would chastise his team about preparation and tell them they had too many outside endeavors and they would go home and watch 3 or 4 new commercials with him in them. They thought he was a hypocrite. What actual coaching was he doing? Someone put it plainly:he got outcoached by all the great coaches at the time in all the games that mattered after 85. He does have a reason to hang his head from puritan fans who actually wanted him to prove that 85 wasn't a fluke. Who's to say it wasn't? Same guys two years in a row and you can't repeat. Actually,better guys than the year before. Influx of talent. Check your history. I've never in my life ever seen anyone live off their laurels as much as he did. Name one other person who gained so much from something he did so long ago. Magazine covers with another man in a dress. That is an absolute JOKE. Trade his entire draft for one person. Shrewd evaluator of talent or gross ego? Plain stupidity. Who got by? He actually said that Cade McNown was going to be good. Forget 85. It was a wonderful experience but no one need to utter that year again regardless what this team does. TOO much bringing up the past. My niece was born on that very day and she's a 3rd year student in college now. No hateration,just tired of this being a topic that people still talk about. GO BEARS!!!