The Vest, Leather Jacket And So Much More: Bears Legend Mike Ditka's NFL Legacy

One can't tell the story of the NFL without Mike Ditka.

The Ditka family announced on Friday afternoon that the Hall of Fame head coach and tight end passed away at 86.

With that said, just because the Chicago Bears' legend is no longer physically present in the football world, doesn't mean his legacy won't be felt for eternity.

As both a player and coach, Ditka was one of a kind and impacted the sport both on and off the field.

Before becoming a legend with the Bears vest on his chest, Ditka was a menace at tight end.

Originally selected by the Houston Oilers with the No.

8 pick in the 1961 AFL Draft, Ditka, an All-American who finished sixth in the 1960 Heisman Trophy voting with the Pittsburgh Panthers, opted against playing in the upstart AFL.

One month later, he was selected by the Bears with the No.

5 pick in the 1961 NFL Draft and packed his bags for the Windy City.

Sure, Ditka could drive a defender into the parking lot as a blocker, but "Iron Mike" made history as a pass-catcher.

In Ditka's 1961 rookie campaign, he became the first tight end in NFL history to log 1,000 receiving yards in a single season, reeling in 56 receptions for 1,076 yards (19.2 yards per reception) and 12 touchdowns.

Ditka would be a Pro Bowler in each of his first five seasons in the sport and an All-Pro in 1963 and 1964.

Over his first four seasons (1961-64), Ditka averaged 62.0 receptions for 917.8 yards and 7.5 touchdowns per year.

Ditka was part of Chicago's 1963 NFL Championship team, which marked the Bears' first NFL championship since 1946.