NFL coaches share incredible Mike Ditka stories as football world mourns the Bears legend

Mike Ditka may not have coached in the NFL since 1999, but his impact on football has spanned generations.

Ditka died Friday at age 86, and Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell and Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh both recalled incredible stories about the Chicago Bears legend.

Campbell learned of Ditka's death during a news conference and shared a story about their first interaction.

"I got a great Ditka story.

Somebody I just loved growing up, man, and Ditka was it.

Huge fan.

So, when I'm able to come out, I'm getting drafted to go to the combine.

Well, the Saints want to meet with me, in particular, Mike Ditka, right? Tight end, uh, hell of a player, hell of a coach, all the whole thing," Campbell said.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE Campbell, who was already nervous about meeting the Hall of Fame tight end, assumed there would be other people in the room with Ditka.

"No.

I go in and there's one little light on.

It's like a little lamp in the corner, you know? It's at the train station and there's nothing in there.

There's no couches there.

The room is totally cleaned out and there's one little table and the room is full of smoke," Campbell said.