Mike Ditka, the Hall of Fame tight end and head coach who led the Chicago Bears to their only Super Bowl championship, died Friday, October 9, 2026, at the age of 86, surrounded by family and friends (Chicago Sun-Times). For Chicago, he was more than a coach. He was the city’s toughness, honesty and heart, all in one man on the sideline. Everyone at Valle Services, and especially our founder, Hector Garcia, is mourning with Bears fans everywhere.
Coach Ditka, then leading the New Orleans Saints, back at Soldier Field in 1999, with Hector Garcia behind him during the pregame interview and a Garcia Security officer at his side after the game.
Da Coach
Drafted by the Bears in 1961, “Iron Mike” changed the tight end position, helped Chicago win the 1963 NFL championship, and in 1988 became the first tight end inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He returned as head coach in 1982 and, over 11 seasons through 1992, went 112-68, winning six NFC Central titles and leading the legendary 1985 Bears to a 46-10 win in Super Bowl XX. He remains the only person in the NFL’s modern era to win a league title with the same team as both a player and a head coach. Away from the field, he was a fixture of the city, from his namesake restaurant on East Chestnut Street to his years of support for Misericordia, Maryville Academy and Little City.
These are short clips from the original broadcasts. To watch the full video, click the YouTube logo on the player.
In 1999, Coach Ditka faced his old team as head coach of the New Orleans Saints. Here’s the opening of that broadcast.
1999 Saints vs. Bears, opening. Clip plays 0:00 to 0:18.
From the Sidelines at Soldier Field
Before he founded Valle Services, Hector Garcia served as Director of Security at Soldier Field from 1992 to 2005, coordinating security for Chicago Bears games and other major events at the stadium. His first year on the job was 1992, Coach Ditka’s final season as head coach of the Bears, and for years afterward Ditka remained part of the life of the team and the stadium.
In this short moment, our security team is right at Coach Ditka’s side.
Our security at Coach Ditka’s side. Clip plays 7:34 to 7:39.
Rest in Peace, Coach
Coach Ditka gave Chicago a team, and a way of carrying itself, that it will never forget. Our deepest condolences go to his wife, Diana, to the entire Ditka family, and to the Chicago Bears family and fans everywhere who are grieving with them.
It was an honor to protect you, Coach. Rest in peace.
From your security team
