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Tag: mike ditka

  • Cris Carter’s Emotional Stand on Domestic Abuse: ‘This Goes Across All Racial Lines, Ethnicities, Religious Backgrounds’

    ESPN’s Cris Carter took an emotional stand Sunday against domestic abuse of any sort and said the NFL needs to take greater responsibility in ending the culture of domestic abuse in the NFL, thereby setting an example for the rest of the country.

    “This goes across all racial lines, ethnicities, religious backgrounds,” Carter said Sunday on NFL Countdown, at times coming close to tears.

    “People believe in disciplining their children. People with any type of Christian background, they really believe in disciplining their children.

    “My mom did the best job she could do. Raising seven kids by herself. But there are thousands of things that I have learned since then that my mom was wrong. It’s the 21st century. My mom was wrong. She did the best she could, but she was wrong about some of that stuff she taught me. And I promise my kids I won’t teach that mess to them. You can’t beat a kid to make them do what you want them to do.”

    Carter didn’t elaborate on how he was raised, but suggests that his single mother used some form of corporal punishment as a method of discipline.

    Fellow panelist Mike Ditka took a different stand on disciplining children, saying physical abuse as a child made him a better man.

    Carter said the Vikings’ suspension of Adrian Peterson — following his indictment on one count of injury to a child after striking his four-year-old son with a switch in May — was one of the first positive steps taken during one of the darkest weeks in NFL history.

    “Thousands of things we have learned since then. And now we’re to the point, the only thing I am proud about is the team that I played for, they did the right thing. Take him off the field,” said the former Vikings’ wide receiver.

    “As a man, that’s the only thing we respect. We don’t respect no dang women. We don’t respect no kids. The only thing Roger [Goodell] and them can do … take them off the dang field.”

  • Mike Ditka on Redskins Name Controversy: ‘It’s So Much Horses**t It’s Incredible’

    ESPN NFL analyst Mike Ditka has chimed in on the Washington Redskins name controversy.

    The legendary coach’s viewpoint isn’t exactly PC, and he could care less.

    In an interview with Mike Richman of the Redskins Historian website, he made it very clear that he believes the name should, under no circumstances, ever be changed. No matter who it might offend.

    Ditka said those offended by the name are “politically correct idiots” and “liberals who complain about everything” and are “silly” and “asinine.”

    Ditka also said the controversy was “stupid,” “appalling” and “horses**t.”

    “It’s so much [crap] it’s incredible,” said Ditka. “We’re going to let the liberals of the world run this world. It was said out of reverence, out of pride to the American Indian. Even though it was called a Redskin, what are you going to call them, a Brownskin? This is so stupid it’s appalling, and I hope that owner keeps fighting for it and never changes it, because the Redskins are part of an American football history, and it should never be anything but the Washington Redskins.”

    Ditka didn’t stop there.

    “It’s all the political correct idiots in America, that’s all it is,” said Ditka. “It’s got nothing to do with anything else. We’re going to change something because we can. Hey listen, I went through it in the 60s, too. I mean, come on. Everybody lined up, did this. It’s fine to protest. That’s your right, if you don’t like it, protest. You have a right to do that, but to change the name, that’s ridiculous. Change the Constitution—we’ve got people trying to do that, too, and they’re doing a pretty good job.”

    Now that we know how Ditka really feels about the Redskins name controversy. What are your thoughts on Ditka’s comments and the controversy?

  • Mike Ditka Dissed by Jets Rookie Jace Amaro

    Every kid who grew up in the late 80s / early 90s wanted to “be like Mike”. And, if a coach had told one of us to go home and watch some tapes of Jordan – no matter the sport – we would have done it. Why? Because Jordan was and is the best.

    So, theoretically speaking, if an NFL coach was to tell one of his players to look at tapes from a former NFL great and try to emulate his game, reason would say that said player would accept the task eagerly and revel in getting an excuse to watch one of the game’s best.

    That is, unless you are New York Jets rookie tight-end Jace Amaro…

    During the Jets first preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts last Thursday, Amaro was targeted five times and only caught two of the passes, much to the chagrin of Jets head coach Rex Ryan who thought Amaro could have caught two more passes. Following the game, Ryan had some advice for the rookie:

    That’s something where he’s got to realize, ‘Hey, you’re a huge man. Give him tapes of Mike Ditka or something and say, ‘This is how we want you to play. Recognize you’re a big guy. You need to be a bully out there. When that ball’s thrown up, you’ve got to go catch it. I don’t care where it is.’ So he needs to have that kind of mentality.

    While one could question many decisions made by Rex Ryan considering the dearth of success for the Jets organization over the past few years, this tidbit appears to be sound advice. Which rookie tight-end wouldn’t want to emulate the guy who potentially revolutionized the game for his position?

    Jace Amaro – that’s who.

    In speaking with the New York Post on Tuesday, Amaro dissed both Ryan and Ditka by simply refusing to follow his coaches advice:

    “I’m not going back 30 years to see how Ditka played. I know the way he played and the kind of character he is… You don’t really want to look into it too much. You want to be your own player. You don’t want to [imitate] anyone else who has played. I want to be the guy who someone decades from now says, ‘That guy plays like Amaro.’ ”

    If Amaro doesn’t step up his game soon and play to his potential, the only way the Amaro name is going to be remembered is by “that rookie who was too dumb to shut his mouth and take some much needed advice”. Then again, this is the Jets and imploding is their thing, so perhaps Amaro has found his place after all…

    Image via Twitter

  • Mike Ditka is Now the Spokesperson For Al’s Beef

    Football legend Mike Ditka is best known as the longtime coach of the Chicago Bears, but younger NFL fans may soon know him for more for Italian beef and pizza.

    Two Chicago restaurants this week announced that Mike Ditka will now be their spokesperson. Ditka will be the face of Al’s Beef and Nancy’s Pizza in the Second City and beyond. Both reseaurants are owned by Chicago Franchise Systems.

    “Al’s Beef and Nancy’s Pizza are Chicago legends in a city so close to my heart after being here for many years, and I couldn’t be more excited to support their growth and expansion,” said Ditka. “There is nothing quite like Al’s original authentic dipped Italian Beef sandwich or the original stuffed pizza filled with cheese and every topping imaginable from Nancy’s. Are you hungry yet?”

    As the new spokesperson, Ditka will be integrated heavily into marketing for the restaurants. This includes PR campaigns, branding, and store-level advertising.

    Along with the announcement of Ditka as spokesperson, Al’s Beef and Nacy’s Pizza have also announced plans to expand their operations well beyond Chicago. The restaurants will both soon increase their franchise expansions and revamp their existing locations. Chicago Franchise Systems is now searching for potential expansion locations across the U.S.

    Al’s Beef, which began in Chicago in 1938, currently has 17 locations in the U.S. including restaurants in California and Nevada. New franchise locations are already planned for Dallas and Chicago. Expansion locations for Nancy’s Pizza have also been announced for Texas, California, and Georgia.

    “We are thrilled to bring Mike Ditka into the Al’s Beef and Nancy’s Pizza family as he truly embodies Chicago where our brands were born,” said Dave Howey, president of Chicago Franchise Systems. “This partnership marks the beginning of some very exciting changes and initiatives that we’ll be rolling out over the coming months to support the continued growth of Al’s Beef and Nancy’s Pizza.”

    Image via Facebook

  • Mike Ditka Wants Matthew Stafford To Wear His Hat Correctly

    Mike Ditka, former coach for the Bears and Saints, is an old-fashioned coach who believes that the leader of the football team should respect their game on and off of the field.

    This is why Ditka has made his frustration known about the Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford consistently wearing his hat backwards.

    “I think he can make all the throws. He’s a smart kid,” Ditka said, during an interview with the Detroit Free Press. “I wish he’d put the baseball cap on frontwards instead of backwards all the time.”

    Ditka explains that he is not “knocking him”, but he believes he should be a leader, and that his appearance should reflect his leadership.

    “If you’re the leader of the football team, I think you’ve got to stand up and be that leader, assume that role,” Ditka said. “A lot of it is what you do on the field, certainly. But I think a little of it has to do with appearance, too. You know, respect the game, respect your team. That’s all.

    I’m not knocking him. I’m just saying that’s the first thing I would tell him if I inherited him. When you’re going to go do an interview, put it on like it’s supposed to be on, not backwards, sidewards, whatever way they put them on anymore.”

    Luckily for Stafford, Ditka is not his coach. Of course the Lions’ coach could set rules regarding the appearance of his players, but so far, there are none. So, Stafford can, apparently, continue wearing his hat however he wants to.

    Image via Twitter

  • Mike Ditka Says Cold-Weather Super Bowl Is ‘Stupid’

    Mike Ditka isn’t exactly known for his quiet, humble demeanor, so his latest opinion shouldn’t be too shocking. Except it’s a complaint about the cold weather expected for the upcoming Super Bowl at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

    The Hall of Famer told the Detroit Free Press, “The weather’s going to be a problem. They made a big mistake. The game shouldn’t be there. I mean, it’s stupid.”

    You would think a guy who played for the Chicago Bears as a tight end from 1961 to 1966, as well as spending a decade as the head coach of the Bears, wouldn’t find anything wrong with playing football in cold temperatures.

    While Ditka is concerned about how the cold weather will affect the players abilities, he also doesn’t think it’s fair to the fans who have spent quite a pretty penny for the experience.

    “First of all, it’s not fair to the players. It’s not going to be fair to the fans. It’s not going to be that enjoyable. I mean, I understand it’s the Super Bowl and it’s a privilege to play in the Super Bowl. It’d be nice to be playing in Miami or San Diego or New Orleans or somewhere the weather is conducive to guys being able to show their talents,” said Ditka.

    Early forecasts predict temperatures in the 30s, even dipping below freezing as the game progresses, as well as a possible mix of snow and rain.

    Ditka continued, “I’m just saying, if you get extreme cold or you get snow during the game, then it’s unfair to the fans, to the players, to everybody. You’re not going to be able to perform at near the level you’re used to. And the element of luck comes into it, and it shouldn’t happen in that game. That game should be based on the people on the field who make the plays.”

    Some people on Twitter seem to agree with Ditka’s opinion.

    On Sunday Ditka could be seen during the Grammy’s halftime show riding a wrecking ball à la Miley Cyrus. You can see Ditka, as well as some other NFL greats in the Grammy’s Pepsi halftime show in the video below.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzKRC8Lz6g8

    Image via YouTube.

  • Mike Ditka Falls Asleep During NFL Countdown [Video]

    It was a slightly embarrassing moment for Mike Ditka, as he had to be nudged awake by panelist Keyshawn Johnson, during the Sunday NFL Countdown.

    Apparently, Ditka nodded off during an ESPN reporter’s remote from the New York Jets-Miami Dolphins game at Sun Life Stadium.

    Earlier this month, on December 9, the former Chicago Bear’s coach had his jersey number retired. Ditka was the Bears number one pick in the 1961 draft out of the University of Pittsburgh. He played tight end over 12 NFL seasons with the Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, and Dallas Cowboys. His career ended with 427 receptions for 5,812 yards and 43 touchdowns.

    He then coached the Bears from 1982-1992 to a 106-62 record. He led his team to a Super Bowl victory in 1986.

    Between having his number retired, and the holidays, I’m sure he needed some time to catch up on some sleep.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Mike Ditka Fell Asleep During Sunday NFL Countdown [Video]

    Despite the fact that the crew was reporting on one of the most meaningful Sundays of the season, and the final week of the NFL’s regular season, Mike Ditka was somehow able to fall asleep during the ESPN broadcast.

    Mike Ditka was not able to hold it together long enough to finish the broadcast of Sunday NFL countdown before dozing off.

    During the segment, he fell asleep, and was woken up by former wide receiver and fellow commentator, Keyshawn Johnson, when he gave the veteran commentator a nudge to wake him up.

    Perhaps he has just been too active lately, and the 74-year-old was simply trying to get some rest. In a big moment for the former player and coach, his jersey was retired by the Chicago Bears in a touching ceremony on December 9th at Solider Field.

    He was nudged by Keyshawn Johnson, who was able to wake him, after being asked about the Chicago Bears game multiple times. As the legendary coach for the Chicago Bears, one would think that Mike Ditka would have some things to say about the game.

    Unfortunately, he fell asleep when the commentating team started talking about the game between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears. In any case, Mike Ditka’s Bears were not able to get the job done, and lost to the Green Bay Packers, a game that sent them to the playoffs with the help of Aaron Rodgers and his return to the field.

    Luckily, Keyshawn Johnson was there to help out, but what could have caused Mike Ditka to fall asleep on the show? Should it be any concern for ESPN on his ability as a commentator, or was he simply tired?

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    Images via Youtube and SB Nation

  • Mike Ditka Regrets Not Challenging Obama For Senate

    Mike Ditka revealed recently that he thought about running against Obama in the race for Senate that Obama eventually won. Barack Obama, the former Illinois senator, obviously went on to become the president of the United States after serving for four years in the Senate. Just imagine how crazy it would be if Ditka were in the same situation and had become our president instead.

    For those that do not know Ditka’s history, he is a former NFL player and coach. He was a tight end for the Chicago Bears, before coaching them to a Super Bowl, and also spent some time coaching the Dallas Cowboys. Mike Ditka is also one of only two people to win an NFL title as both a player and a coach.

    He is an NFL legend, but it is hard to imagine him tackling the world of politics.This week, he admitted that his decision to not run against Barack Obama in the 2004 Senate was the biggest mistake that he has ever made.

    Ditka was urged to run for the Senate seat by by republicans, but he denied the offer, claiming to have other commitments. Obama went on to win the election of course, defeating former ambassador Alan Keyes in a landslide. He was speaking at an oil company event in Watford City, ND, when he told the crowd about his biggest regret of not running. At the event he said, “Not that I would have won, but I probably would have and he wouldn’t be in the White House.”

    He probably would have won huh? That is quite a statement for the former coach to make, but of course he can say that now. It seems like he indirectly blames himself for the fact that Obama is in the White House right now. After deciding not to run in 2004, he later went on to support John McCain in the 2008 election.

    Can you imagine if Mike Ditka was president of the United States? Respond below with your thoughts.

    Mike Ditka, as well as several Republican politicians were offered the unappealing opportunity to run against the popular Obama, but they all ultimately denied, and it seems that everyone knew that Obama was guaranteed the win and was too afraid to even take him on.

    Image via Youtube