Bears pay tribute to Mike Ditka on 'Thursday Night Football'

There’s been no plan made for a public memorial for Mike Ditka.

Thursday night, then, might have to suffice.

Playing their first home game since the man synonymous with their franchise died Oct. 9, the Bears paid tribute to the legendary coach and Pro Football Hall of Fame player at Soldier Field.

The Bears handed out fake mustaches to all fans and a headband in the style of Ditka's trademark sweater vest to the first 10,000. They held a moment of silence before playing the Patriots, the same team Ditka beat in Super Bowl XX.

"If it wasn't for Ditka, we wouldn't have the Super Bowl," former center Jay Hilgenberg said in an on-field interview aired on the scoreboard.

The Bears stenciled a football with Ditka's No. 89 on it onto the northwest sideline. They wore a matching patch over the hearts of their jerseys.

Chairman George McCaskey wore a navy Ditka jersey over his French blue dress shirt. Bears guard Jonah Jackson walked into the stadium wearing a white long-sleeved No. 89 jersey.

Ditka's number was the last one retired by the Bears.

Tom Borich and his 12-year-old grandson, Kieran Chucketts, both from Superior, Wis., came to pay their respects.

"I've been a Bears fan since the 1960s, but I was always by myself in the land of Packers and Vikings fans — until my son-in-law and grandson came into the picture,” Borich said. “Now I've finally got some Bears fans to root with me. It's been a wonderful time.

“Ditka embodies the toughness of Chicago and the toughness of the Bears. We're excited to be here."

Ditka’s Pro Football Hall of Fame display on the south concourse showed off a sweater vest and gold jacket. Ditka, who had 4,503 receiving yards from 1961-66, was the first tight end ever inducted into the Hall.

A private funeral for Ditka has already taken place.

Ashlee Rezin contributed.