Timing of Mike Ditka’s death is similar to Walter Payton’s passing

Former Chicago Bears head coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka and legendary Bears running back Walter Payton both died the week the team was scheduled to play the rival Green Bay Packers. Payton’s son Jarrett announced Ditka’s death Friday on his morning show on WSCR in Chicago and on social media.

The 3-1 Bears are at the 2-2 Packers on Sunday. Walter Payton died November 1, 1999, at 46 from liver disease. The 3-5 Bears beat the 4-3 Packers 14-13 on November 7, 1999, when defensive lineman Brian Robinson blocked Ryan Longwell’s field goal attempt on the last play of the game.

Beating Green Bay was critical to Ditka. Ditka led the Bears to 15 wins and five losses against the Packers during his tenure. Ditka’s record included eight consecutive victories from 1985 through 1988.

The Bears had many memorable moments against the Packers during Ditka’s tenure. During the Bears’ 1985 Super Bowl XX winning season, defensive tackle William Perry scored a touchdown against the Packers in a 23-7 win on Oct. 21 on “Monday Night Football.”

It’s with a heavy heart that I’m sharing the Ditka family has announced the passing of Mike Ditka this morning.Da Coach. Hall of Famer. The heartbeat of the ’85 Bears and a Super Bowl champion. Chicago won’t be the same.Prayers to Diana and the family.RIP, Coach. ⬇️Here’s… pic.twitter.com/NUDfwsjaNH

Another of the most memorable, or infamous, plays during the Bears-Packers rivalry under Ditka occurred when Green Bay defensive end Charles Martin slammed quarterback Jim McMahon to the Soldier Field turf. Martin’s action further aggravated McMahon’s rotator cuff injury. The injury occurred in the 12th game of the 1986 season and ended McMahon’s year.

The game Perry scored the TD against Green Bay began the Bears’ eight-game winning streak over the Packers. The Bears’ eight-game winning streak over the Packers ended in another infamous contest in the rivalry when a Don Majkowski TD that originally ruled he was over the line of scrimmage was reversed by a replay.

The Bears enter the game at Green Bay on Sunday with 98 wins, 109 losses and six ties against the Packers.

Current Bears head coach Ben Johnson won two out of three games against the Packers in 2025 during his first season. The Bears have won three out of the last four games against the Packers entering Sunday’s game.

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!