Mike Ditka Dies at 86; Son of Walter Payton Announces News Live on Air
Jarrett Payton, son of the late Bears running back, became emotional on his radio show while delivering the news of his father's former coach's passing.
Legendary Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka has died at the age of 86, it was announced Friday.
Jarrett Payton, son of Bears icon Walter Payton, shared the news live on air during his radio show, “Haugh & Payton,” on 104.3 The Score. Visibly and audibly emotional, Payton expressed his deep personal connection to Ditka.
“It’s hitting me because I was not expecting this phone call,” Payton said on the show. “We don’t have the press release, it should be on the way, but it saddens me to give this information to the city of Chicago.”
Payton struggled to compose himself as he spoke about Ditka’s impact on his family and the city. “Everybody knows how much coach means to me and to my family and to the city, to the Chicago Bears,” he continued. “He has been nothing but an amazing person for my entire family but also somebody that made sure I was ok, that our family was ok and always kept up with us. Any time that I need him, he was always there. I.. this is a lot for me, for everything that’s happened to Matt [Suhey], to this…”
His co-host, David Haugh, stepped in to offer support, saying, “Sorry for your loss, Jarrett,” before reiterating the news.
Walter Payton played six seasons, from 1982 to 1987, under Ditka, winning Super Bowl XX together. Ditka also provided support to the Payton family after Walter Payton’s death in 1999.
The news of Ditka’s passing comes about a month after the death of Matt Suhey, Walter Payton's best friend and lead blocker, who died at age 68.
Jarrett Payton also shared the official Ditka family statement on X, formerly Twitter. The statement read: “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mike Ditka. While the world knew Mike as a Hall of Fame football player, legendary coach, and leader of the Chicago Bears’ Super Bowl XX championship team, we knew him as the heart of our family. Mike will be missed beyond measure and remembered forever.”