There aren’t a ton of benefits to being older than most, in general or on this app. But one of the rare benefits is I consider myself very lucky & privileged to have watched & clearly recall Mike Ditka as a Head Coach. He was an absolute force of nature who demanded excellence, with a personality larger than life. I remember when he was hired in 1982. I watched nearly every game that he coached for the Bears, including that magical 1985 season. I watched him in New Orleans. I got to see him make the transition to broadcasting & loved listening to his perspective. I’ve eaten at his restaurants many times, and even met him once. People too easily throw around the term “generational” in sports. It should be reserved for people like Mike. He was truly a generational athlete, coach, sports figure and personality. He was also a philanthropist & meaningful figure to so many in the Greater Chicago area and beyond. Who as a single person, made an exponentially outsized impact in football & popular culture through the legacy he left behind. How blessed I am that I was able to witness so much of it first-hand. 🥹