Chicago Bears legend Mike Ditka celebrates his 74th birthday

Daaaaaaaa Bears! If you’re familiar with Saturday Night Live and the Chicago Bears then you’re aware of the legendary ‘Bill Swerski’s Superfans’.

A group of Chicago fans who would have legendary round table skits that included Chris Farley, Mike Meyes, Robert Smigel, Joe Mantegna and of course George Wendt. These guys would have hilarious conversations and predictions when it came to either the Daytona 500, basketball and of course their favorite sport of all time, football.

Ditka was the main topic of all of their discussions considering they were playing and most of them are/were Chicago Bears fans.

Of course Mike Ditka, one of the greatest tight ends in Chicago Bears history and or possibly in football history happens to turn the big 7-4 today. Coach Ditka was born on October 18th, 1939 in Carnegie, Pennsylvania to Mike Ditka Sr,. and Charlotte Ditka.

Ditka’s original last name was ‘Dyzcko’ but that seems impossible to pronounce so the family changed it to Ditka later on in his life. He was a five time pro bowl and all-pro selectee from 1961-65′, won an NFL Championship in 1963, won three Super Bowls as a whole and NFL Coach of the Year honors in ’85 and ’88.

Not only was he known to be a great player during his 11 year playing career, but the coach of one of the greatest defenses in NFL history. His temper is one of his trademarks.

He was the first tight end inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame

Happy Birthday to Da Coach.