Many Hall of Fame football players end up fading away, with highlight films and their bust in Canton serving as the only links between them and modern-day fans.

Mike Ditka made sure he would not be subjected to such a fate.

Long after his playing career as a tight end ended in the 1970s — and even now following his death at 86 last week — the impressions he left as a head coach and NFL analyst ensure that his will remain one of the most recognizable personalities the league has ever known.

The native of Aliquippa played for two legendary head coaches, George Halas with the Bears and Tom Landry with the Cowboys. And yet, when he became a head coach himself, his philosophy on how to deal with players and the media was uniquely his own.

He was brash, unapologetic and often confrontational with those who challenged him on everything from a play call to a personnel decision.

His Super-Bowl winning 1985 Bears team was full of characters, including quarterback Jim McMahon, defensive lineman William “The Refrigerator” Perry and linebacker Mike Singletary. Ditka was no longer catching passes or throwing blocks, he was directing things from the sideline. But his witty quips and interactions during interviews seemed to fit the aura surrounding the Bears perfectly.

He later worked for NBC, CBS and ESPN as an analyst, giving a new generation of fans their own way to remember a legend.

His blue-collar upbringing had served him well as a player. “Iron Mike” was an All-American at Pitt and during his rookie season in the NFL (1961), he became the first tight end in league history to gain 1,000 receiving yards, effectively ushering in a new era for the position. He won an NFL title with the Bears and a Super Bowl with the Cowboys, all the while maintaining his reputation as one of the league's toughest players.

But there was another side to Ditka, who was known for being very generous with his tips to waitresses, cab drivers and the like. When a friend asked why he gave such exuberant amounts, Ditka replied: “They need it more than I do.”

And that is what we hope to receive from pro athletes and coaches — a fierce competitive edge on the field and a heart of gold off of it.

We don't always get the total package. We got it from Mike Ditka.

— DJP