Remembering Mike Ditka, who redefined Bears-Packers rivalry

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6ac9360a00261.image.jpgShare storySharetopics: Mike DitkaChicago BearsGreen Bay PackersBears-Packers rivalrySuper Bowl XXInstant Replay GameVince LombardiBrett FavreCHICAGO — Chicago Bears fans — and football fans at-large — mourned the loss of legendary player and head coach Mike Ditka on Friday. He died at 86.

Packers fans might not hold much love for "Da Coach," but they certainly held respect for him. You can't tell the story of football without the Packers-Bears rivalry, and you can't tell the story of that rivalry without Ditka.

He led the Bears on a dominant run, winning six NFC Central titles and Super Bowl XX. His passion helped fuel a fiery rivalry between Chicago and Green Bay.

On the day of his passing, and before the two squads renew their rivalry on Sunday, it's time to look back at some of Ditka's most memorable clashes with the Green and Gold.

Ditka will be most remembered by his iconic mustache and sweater vest that he sported as a coach, but he was also a great player in his own right.

The Bears drafted Ditka at tight end in the first round in 1961 and he won Offensive Rookie of the Year that season. He was a member of the 1963 Bears squad that won an NFL championship.

Ditka had some strong showings individually against the Packers, including in November 1961 when he tallied 9 catches for 190 yards and 3 touchdowns. In 1963, he had a multi-game feud with Packers great Ray Nitschke that saw both men get knocked out at one point or another.

But his strong performances couldn't overcome a Green Bay squad coached by the legendary Vince Lombardi. Ditka went 3-8 against the Packers as a Bears player.

He had far more success against the Packers as a head coach, though his tenure on the Bears' sideline coincided with some of the more disappointing seasons in Packers franchise history.

Ditka coached the Bears to 15 wins over the Packers, losing just five times. Some of those wins were especially memorable, like the October 1985 contest that gave William "The Refrigerator" Perry his name. The 300lb lineman came into the game as a fullback and scored two touchdowns in short yardage situations by bulldozing the Packers' defense.

A 1989 meeting invited controversy because of the use of instant replay. Packers quarterback Don Majkowski appeared to throw a game-winning touchdown pass to Sterling Sharpe, but the play was waved off after a referee said Majkowski passed the ball after crossing the line of scrimmage.

Instant replay was used to overturn the call and award the touchdown, giving Green Bay the win. Ditka made sure the "Instant Replay Game" was recorded with an asterisk in the team's record books afterward.

The Bears fired Ditka following a disappointing 1992 season, bringing his role in the rivalry to an end. His departure lined up almost perfectly with the arrival of Packers quarterback Brett Favre, marking a turn of fortune for both franchises.

Funeral arrangements for Ditka have yet to be announced, but the NFL is expected to honor the late great coach during Sunday's games.