Dan Campbell Honors Mike Ditka After Hall of Fame Coach Dies

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell remembered NFL icon Mike Ditka after Ditka died at 86, with Campbell sharing a memorable 1999 draft meeting in Allen Park. The Pro Football Hall of Famer was known as a player, coach and football ambassador, according to Detroit News.

According to Detroit News, Ditka transformed the tight end position during his playing career, earning five All-Pro selections and five Pro Bowl appearances in his first six seasons. He later coached the Chicago Bears to a Super Bowl victory and became one of the league's most recognizable figures.

Campbell, who grew up admiring Ditka and entered the 1999 NFL Draft after playing tight end at Texas A&M, recalled meeting him when the New Orleans Saints evaluated him before the draft.

"(He was) somebody I just loved growing up, man. Ditka was it. Huge fan.

So when I'm able to come out, getting drafted, go to the combine. Well, the Saints wanted to meet with me, and in particular, Mike Ditka, right?" said Dan Campbell, Lions head coach.

Campbell described the meeting as a striking moment because Ditka was in his final season as Saints coach. The encounter featured Ditka's trademark intensity and a room filled with smoke from his famous cigar.

"Tight end, hell of a player, hell of a coach, the whole thing. ... I go in, I know he'll be in there, but it's gonna be — no, no. I go in, and it's one little light on.

It's like a little lamp in the corner like it's at the train station, and there's nothing in there. There's no couches, the room is totally cleaned up, there's one little table, and the room is full of smoke. I mean, you can't hardly even see him ... and he's got that big, fat cigar." said Dan Campbell, Lions head coach.

According to Detroit News, Ditka's football career included playing for Chicago from 1961-66, Philadelphia from 1967-68 and Dallas from 1969-72. He joined the Cowboys coaching staff in 1973 before later becoming Bears head coach from 1982-92.

Campbell also reflected on the emotional impact of the meeting with Ditka, who was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1988.

"was one of the best times of my life and one of the most intimidating times of my life." said Dan Campbell, Lions head coach.

The Saints ultimately did not select Campbell in the draft, and according to Detroit News, Ditka traded away the team's draft resources to move up and select Texas running back Ricky Williams with the No. 5 pick. Campbell was eventually chosen in the third round.

Campbell said the meeting remained a special memory and offered condolences to Ditka's family after the NFL figure's death.

"It was awesome, though, man. Just him asking questions about where you grew up, how you think, how you're wired, the game, what you see — it was just awesome," said Dan Campbell, Lions head coach.

Campbell added that Ditka's legacy extended beyond coaching and playing, while Detroit News reported that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell also released a statement honoring Ditka's career.

"Mike Ditka epitomized football over so many years. He brought intensity, authenticity, and an unmistakable personality to everything he did," said Roger Goodell, NFL commissioner.

Goodell's statement also recognized Ditka's roles as a Hall of Fame player, Super Bowl-winning coach with the Chicago Bears and broadcaster. Ditka was remembered as an ambassador for football who influenced generations of fans, according to Detroit News.