Greatest Chicago Bears Seasons: Mike Ditka 1961

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 15, 2011 11:00 AM CDT in Bears History

It was just a matter of time before I got around to the greatest tight end that ever laced em up for the Bears. Mike Ditka. His rookie season of 1961 was the 1st of what would be five consecutive Pro Bowls. He was named 1st team All NFL by the Sporting News and the Newspaper Entertainment Association, and he was named 2nd team All NFL by the UPI and the NY Daily News (haters).

The Bears went 8-6 and finished 3rd in the West Division, tied with the Baltimore Colts, and behind the 1st place Packers and 2nd place Lions. Let's take a closer look at some of the games that year.

In week one Ditka got off to a slow start in loss to the Vikings, when he had 1 catch for 18 yards. They should have thrown to the man that would eventually become Da Coach a few more times to help them get the win. In week two they must have realized the power of the Ditka, as he opened the scoring with a 47 yard TD and ended up with 5 receptions for 130 yards in a win over the L.A. Rams.

The Bears next had an unhappy trip to Green Bay, losing 24-0, but Ditka grabbed 3 for 47 yards. The Bears bounced back in a 37-17 win in Detroit, with Ditka amassing 5 catches for 120 yards and another TD.

His next big game came 2 weeks later in a 31-0 schellacking of the 49ers at Wrigley Field. He scored 2 TDs on 4 receptions for 107 yards. He followed that game up with a 4 for 61 and a TD line in a win in Baltimore.

He made the most of his lone catch against the Eagles in week 8 taking it 76 yards for a score. The Packers completed the sweep in week 9, but Iron Mike had a huge game with 9 receptions for 3 TDs. Ditka was the offense that day, as his 190 receiving yards was 78.5% of the teams 242 total yards.

The 49ers got some revenge the next week in a 41-31 victory, but Ditka added 5 more grabs for 98 yards and another TD. Ditka was shutout as the Bears swept the Rams 28-24, but he came back in a week 12 loss to Detroit with 7 catches for 70 yards.

The Bears finished the year winning their last two. Week 13 saw a quiet 4 for 35 performance by Ditka in a 17-13 defeat of the Browns, but in the season finale the Bears and Ditka went off by dropping 52 points on the Vikings. Billy Wade threw for 355 yards going 23 of 34, with 4 TDs, and Ditka caught two of those scores to go along with 102 yards and receptions.

Mike Ditka ended the season with career bests of 1,076 yards, 12 TDs, and 19.2 yards per reception. And his 56 receptions led the Bears in '61.

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Comments

DITKA!!!!!

by Doshi on Jul 15, 2011 12:08 PM CDT reply actions

Da Coach when he was Da Tight End !

Cosmis: JESUS LORD IN HEAVEN DANIEAL MANNING JUST KILLED A MAN

by Spongie on Jul 15, 2011 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions

And his 56 receptions is still a team record for rookies

He was beasting in the NFL that year. I love watching the old highlights of him just busting through tackles and running dudes over. Too bad there isn’t a “yards after contact” stat from back in that day.

Jay Cutler is still my quarterback.
Formerly GallopingGhost

by Sam Householder on Jul 15, 2011 12:29 PM CDT reply actions

Who is this Sam fella?

If you go in the bathroom, turn off the lights, and say "Da Coach" 5 times while facing the mirror... Ditka will appear and slap the wussy right out of you.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 15, 2011 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions

Just some bum we picked up off the street.

I heard he likes the Bears, so we gave him a job and an office in the basement.

Weekend contributor at Windy City Gridiron

by Steven Schweickert on Jul 15, 2011 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions

and a red stapler

If you go in the bathroom, turn off the lights, and say "Da Coach" 5 times while facing the mirror... Ditka will appear and slap the wussy right out of you.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 15, 2011 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions