Brief
Bears and Packers honor Mike Ditka with on‑field and fan tributes at Lambeau
Bears wore No. 89 helmet stickers and fans donned Ditka jerseys and sweater vests as the teams observed a moment of silence.
By Felo News Desk · Published
On Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, the Chicago Bears faced the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field while both clubs and fans paid tribute to Hall of Famer Mike Ditka, who died on Oct. 9, 2026.
What happened
The Bears entered the game with No. 89 stickers on the backs of their helmets, the number Ditka wore as a tight end. Before kickoff, the Bears and Packers observed a pre‑game moment of silence. Fans in the stands wore Ditka’s iconic No. 89 jersey and the blue sweater vest he sported during the 1985 Super Bowl win.
What the reports add
Associated Press reporter Steve Megargee noted that long‑time Bears season‑ticket holder Philip Hauff bought a ticket the day Ditka died and arrived wearing an 89 jersey. Hauff, 61, said the occasion was “very emotional.” Another fan, Ryan Tousley of Des Moines, Iowa, wore a sweater vest he had owned for nearly 20 years, explaining he squeezed into it despite it no longer fitting. Bob Moretti, a 43‑year‑old fan from St. Charles, Illinois, also purchased a similar vest just a week before the game.
What was said
Bears coach Ben Johnson told reporters on Friday that Ditka is “the gold standard in terms of this place” and that his impact is still being felt. Hauff compared Ditka to Michael Jordan, saying, “He’s Chicago. His passion, his devotion, his no‑quit, his toughness. He’s compassionate.”
How it came about
Ditka’s death on Oct. 9 prompted immediate tributes across the NFL. Earlier this week, Felo News covered a separate tribute when DJ Moore’s wife posted a photo of their son dressed as Ditka (Mike Ditka tribute). The Bears‑Packers game provided a public venue for fans to honor the former player and coach who led Chicago to its lone Super Bowl title in 1985.
Key facts
- Mike Ditka died at age 86 on Oct. 9, 2026. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- Bears wore No. 89 stickers on helmets and observed a moment of silence with the Packers. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- Fans wore Ditka jerseys and sweater vests, including Philip Hauff and Ryan Tousley. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- Bears coach Ben Johnson called Ditka "the gold standard in terms of this place." (winnipegfreepress.com)
Sources
- [1] winnipegfreepress.com — originally reported as “Bears-Packers game features tributes to Mike Ditka on the field and in the stands”
