Mike Ditka to appear on Oprah’s ‘Where Are They Now?’

Chris Sweda, Chicago Tribune

Bears President Ted Phillips (left) and Chairman George McCaskey stand on stage during a halftime ceremony to retire the number of Mike Ditka during a very cold night at Soldier Field.

Pablo Martinez Monsivais, Associated Press

Mike Ditka in his seat prior to testifying on Capitol Hill before the House Judiciary subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law hearing on the NFL's system for compensating retired players.

Callie Lipkin, Chicago Tribune

Steve McMichael mugs with Mike Ditka at an event in Rosemont.

Chicago Tribune historical photo

Defensive tackle Bob Kilcullen and tight end Mike Ditka (wearing Halloween headgear) pause during practice on Oct. 26, 1965 at Wrigley Field.

Charles Cherney, Chicago Tribune

49ers coach Bill Walsh congratulates Bears coach Mike Ditka after the Bears' 26-10 victory on Oct 13, 1985 at Candlestick Park.

Alex Garcia, Chicago Tribune

Mike Ditka speaks about the smoking ban on restaurants during an interview at Ditka's.

Chicago Tribune historical photo

The Bears' offense that will be pitted against the Packers at Wrigley Field on on Nov. 17, 1963: Mike Ditka, Bob Wetoska, Jim Gadile, Mike Pyle, Ted Karras, Roger Davis and John Farrington.

Terrence Antonio, Chicago Tribune

Mike Ditka, outside the restaurant that bears his name, ending speculation that he might run for the U.S. Senate as a Republican.

Charles Cherney, Chicago Tribune

Mike Ditka is carried off the field by William Perry after the Bears defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX.

Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune

Mike Ditka addresses the IHSA football coaches in August 2015. Ditka and other football coaches speak about getting rid of contact during high school practices.

File Photo, Chicago Tribune

Mike Ditka with his dogs in 1983.

Charles Cherney / Chicago Tribune

Mike Ditka's personality: "There's only two --Jekyll and Hyde."

Chicago Tribune

Before leading the Bears to a Super Bowl title as the head coach, Mike Ditka may have revolutionized the tight end position, used mostly for blocking. He was one of the first tight ends to catch a large number of passes, including 12 touchdowns his first year en route to Rookie of the Year honors. In 1964, he caught 75 passes, a record for tight ends that stood until 1980. A Bear from 1961 to 1966, Ditka was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1988.

Chuck Berman, Chicago Tribune

Mike Ditka called the proposed smoking ban in Chicago a sham and people should be given a choice to smoke or not.

E. Jason Wambsgans, Chicago Tribune

Mike Ditka at a fundraiser for Ald. Bob Fioretti at Ditka's restaurant for the mayoral campaign.

Phil Greer, Chicago Tribune

Mike Ditka throws out the first pitch at the White Sox opener on April 7, 1986.

Charles Cherney / Chicago Tribune

More than any individual in a true cast of characters, head coach Mike Ditka epitomized the Super Bowl Bears.

Terrence Antonio James, Chicago Tribune

Mike Ditka at his restaurant in Chicago by the humidor.

Scott Strazzante, Chicago Tribune

Mike Ditka yells "Go Bears!" at the end of a halftime ceremony retiring his No. 89.

Jose M. Osorio, Chicago Tribune

Mike Ditka made an appearance at Bears' OTA practice at Halas Hall.

Chicago Tribune historical photo

Mike Ditka, former All-American at Pitt, holds down one of the end posts for the Bears. This is during his rookie season with the Bears in 1961.

Charles Cherney, Chicago Tribune

Mike Ditka being interviewed at his restaurant for ESPN's "Pardon The Interruption."

Chicago Tribune historical photo

Mike Ditka during a Bears game on December 7, 1986.

Chris Sweda, Chicago Tribune

Mike Ditka speaks during a halftime ceremony to retire his number during a game at Soldier Field.

Nuccio DiNuzzo, Chicago Tribune

Mike Ditka on the sidelines during the first quarter of the game between the Bears and the Saints at Soldier Field.

Ray Gora / Chicago Tribune

Bears guard Stan Jones, left, named professional player of the year, chats with Mike Ditka, College All-Stars co-captain who will report to Bears training camp after tomorrow's showdown between the Collegians and the Eagles. Jones was a member of the 1954 All-Star squad. The two were photographed on Aug. 1, 1961. (Ray Gora/Chicago Tribune) scanned from print. Published on Aug. 3, 1961.

Bob Langer, Chicago Tribune

Bears coach Mike Ditka oversees minicamp in Lake Forest in 1986.

Terrence Antonio James, Chicago Tribune

Mike Ditka prepares to do a radio segment as players and coaches from the 1985 Bears championship team gathered at the Arie Crown Theater at McCormick Place.

Bob Fila, Chicago Tribune

Sean Payton (17) speaks with Bears coach Mike Ditka during a game against the Saints at Soldier Field.

Joel Wintermantle, For the Chicago Tribune

Mike Ditka performs in "Da Bears Movie Dat Wasn't" -- joined in the front row by Super Fans George Wendt (left) at the Park West. The show was part of the TBS TV network Just For Laughs event.

Nuccio DiNuzzo / Chicago Tribune

Mike Ditka during a Bears-Falcons game at Soldier Field on Sept. 10, 2017.

Warren Skalski, For the Chicago Tribune

Mike Ditka and Dennis Quaid at Ditka's Restaurant where the two are talking sports movies and enjoying lunch as Quaid making his Chicago stop to promote his new movie "The Express".

Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune

Mike Ditka sings the seventh inning stretch during the Cubs-Brewers tiebreaker game at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1, 2018.

Michael Tercha, Chicago Tribune

Mike Ditka jokes with the press with J.D. Hill, right, during a press conference to announce a new Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund medical program at Mike Ditka's Steakhouse.

Brian Cassella, Chicago Tribune

Former Bears coach Mike Ditka watches practice at Halas Hall.

Terrence Antonio James, Chicago Tribune

Mike Ditka tapes an appearance on ESPN as part of the cable chanel's "Title Town USA" competition from one of the rooftop vantage points across from Wrigley Field.

Phil Mascione, Chicago Tribune

Bears coach Mike Ditka watches as quarterback Jim McMahon throws a touchdown pass against the Falcons during a game in 1983.

Ed Feeney / Chicago Tribune

Quarterbacks Ed Brown, left, and Bill Wade, right, discuss assignments with end Mike Ditka on Nov. 9, 1961, for a game with Green Bay in Wrigley Field. (Ed Feeney/Chicago Tribune) scanned from print. Published on Nov. 11, 1961.

Chicago Tribune historical photo

Bears quarterback Bill Wade, second from left, goes over film footage with Mike Ditka and Co.

Jose More, Chicago Tribune

Bears coach Mike Ditka holds a press conference, circa 1987.

Jos Mor, Chicago Tribune

Mike Ditka, a member of the Gridiron Greats, during an interview in 2007.

Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune

Hall of Famers Dan Hampton, Mike Ditka, Gale Sayers and Richard Dent are honored during the Bears100 Celebration Weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont on Friday, June 7, 2019.

Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune

Mike Ditka hops in an elevator as members of the 1985 Chicago Bears arrive at Soldier Field for a reunion to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their Super Bowl victory. The event took place on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016.

Chicago Tribune

Young Michael Ditka, age 3 months, is introduced to football by his dad, Mike Ditka (Bears' end) and mother Margie. Ditka, former Pittsburgh star, is a Bears rookie in this 1961 photograph. UPI photo from Tribune archives.

Michael Tercha, Chicago Tribune

73-year-old Mike Ditka at his restaurant in Chicago in 2013.

Ed Wagner Jr. / Chicago Tribune

In his autobiography, Mike Ditka describes Jim McMahon as "different" but a "winner."

Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune

Former Bears coach Mike Ditka speaks to media at an advanced screening of "The '85 Bears" documentary about the Super Bowl XX champions on Jan. 27, 2016, at the AMC River East 21 in Chicago. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Bears' win.

Phil Velasquez, Chicago Tribune

Mike Ditka speaks on behalf of the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund as the group announced an expanded medical program for retired NFL players in need.