Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell was visibly emotional when he learned during a press conference that Hall of Fame football coach Mike Ditka died Friday at age 86.
Campbell recalled a “great” cigar-filled story when he met with Ditka, who was coaching the Saints at the time, during the pre-draft process in 1999.
“Somebody that I just loved growing up. Ditka was it. Huge fan,” Campbell said ahead of Detroit’s clash against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 5.
Campbell, who was a tight end entering the combine out of his senior year at Texas A&M at the time, said that the Saints, “in particular” Ditka, wanted to meet with him.
“Tight end, hell of a player, hell of a coach, the whole thing,” Campbell said. “… I go in, and there’s one little light on. It’s like a little lamp in the corner. It’s at the train station, and there’s nothing in there. There’s no couches. The room is totally cleaned up, and there’s one little table, and the room is full of smoke. I mean, you can hardly even see him. You see this image off in the corner of this little lamp and smoke everywhere, and he’s got that big fat cigar.
“And it was one of the best times of my life and most intimidating times of my life, sitting across from Mike Ditka. It was awesome, though, man. Just him asking questions about where you grew up, how you think, how you’re wired, the game, what you see—it was awesome. So, man, thoughts and prayers go out to his family. He’s a legend.”
The New York Giants ultimately selected Campbell with the 79th overall pick in the third round of the 1999 NFL draft.
The Saints traded all six of their draft picks that year, including a first- and third-round pick in the following year’s draft, to the then-Washington Redskins (now Commanders) for the No. 5 overall pick in the 1999 NFL draft — which they used to draft Texas running back Ricky Williams.
Ditka’s death was announced by Jarrett Payton, son of Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton, who played under Ditka in Chicago.
A cause of death was not disclosed.
Ditka famously led the Bears to the only Super Bowl in franchise history in 1986, led by the dominant 46 defense.
The Pennsylvania native played tight end for the Bears, Cowboys and Eagles before moving into a 14-year coaching career.
He became the first tight end to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988.
