NFL Legend Mike Ditka Dead At 86

Mike Ditka — one of the most legendary figures in NFL history — is dead.

The Pro Football Hall of Famer’s family announced his death Friday, saying in a statement … “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mike Ditka.”

The family continues … “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.”

They add … “Mike will be missed beyond measure and remembered forever.”

The cause of death is unclear.

He was an absolute legend on the gridiron — he played tight end at a Hall of Fame level from 1961 to 1972, and then he went on to have a brilliant career as an NFL head coach.

Ditka famously led the 1985 Chicago Bears to a Super Bowl victory … and was later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988.

Off the field, Ditka was just as iconic as he was on it. He starred in commercials — including a line of ads for the Viagra-like drug Levitra, and he was famously praised in a recurring “Saturday Night Live” sketch.

In the bit, George Wendt, Chris Farley, Mike Myers and Robert Smigel sat at a bar table and spoke fondly of the coach and “Da Bears.” Mike even appeared in the sketch at one point.

Ditka had four kids — three sons and one daughter.

He was 86.