Trump gives raw reaction after finding out about Mike Ditka's death: 'A tough cookie'

President Donald Trump was caught by surprise on the South Lawn before heading to Syracuse on Friday.

Before making the trip north with Mike Tyson and New York Yankees president Randy Levine, the press pool informed Trump that famed Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka had died.

The news issued a raw reaction from the president.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE "Oh, he did? He was a great guy.

He was with me all the way.

He was tough," Trump said.

"Mike Ditka — that's a sad one." "He was great.

He was a big supporter of mine, and he was a winner.

He was a tough cookie." Ditka supported Trump ahead of the 2016 election .

Ditka coached the famous 1985 Bears that rampaged through the NFL with an 18-1 record, losing only to the Miami Dolphins, and then going on to a Super Bowl title.

The death of one of the NFL's greats was announced Friday morning by his family in a statement.

"It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mike Ditka," the statement said.

"While the world knew Mike as a Hall of Fame football player, legendary coach, and leader of the Chicago Bears’ Super Bowl XX championship team, we knew him as the heart of our family.

LEGENDARY BEARS HEAD COACH MIKE DITKA DEAD AT 86 Ditka was a great tight end who won the Super Bowl with Dallas, and was a Super Bowl winning coach with the Chicago Bears.