MIKE DITKA VISITS THE STERN SHOW

MIKE DITKA VISITS THE STERN SHOW


MIKE DITKA



Mike Ditka stopped by to promote a series of motivational tapes and quickly recounted his career: "There was no gameplan in my life at all when I played for the Bears. My gameplan came into focus when I went to Dallas with the Cowboys. I played for the Cowboys for 4 years. We won a Super Bowl. I played for Coach Landry. I coached there for 9 years as an assistant coach. And then I became the head coach of the Bears. So if I never would've went through that process in Dallas, I doubt I would've become the head coach of the Bears."



Howard asked how Mike felt about one of his old quarterbacks, so Mike said Jim's talents were mental: "Jim McMahon was a winner and a leader, but if you're talking about physically? He couldn't come close to Marino." Mike credited the Bears' success to the same mental game: "It's not genius. It's beating the other guy. You know what he's doing. You know what you do best."



MIKE ON THE SAINTS, PUBLIC OFFICE & LEVITRA

Howard asked Mike if it was a good idea to retire only to return 3 years later as the head coach of the New Orleans Saints, but Mike claimed that it seemed like it was at the time: "I thought it was divine intervention." Mike also told the crew about his high school football days ("I was small. I got my ass kicked."), his humble lifestyle ("I'm not a wealthy man...I live in a condominium in Chicago.") and curtailed casino gambling habit: "I don't even go to Vegas anymore and if I do, I don't gamble."



Mike also explained why he wouldn't run for public office, despite his immense popularity in Chicago: "I was asked to run for Senator and you know, to me, being a politician is all about serving." There's a technical issue as well: "I am a resident of the state of Florida...I spend most of my time in Chicago, my wife spends most of her time in Florida. Ideal situation." Howard asked if Mike's wife benefitted from his Levitra endorsement, so Mike laughed: "I think there are a lot of men who need help...I have no problem with it."