Mike Ditka’s vest goes up for auction, you won’t believe how much people are bidding
The Chicago Bears legendary coach Mike Ditka is an icon in the Windy City and now one of his most iconic artifacts is going up for auction 40 years later.
It’s been a while since the Chicago Bears were relevant in January. This year was different. This year hope was brought back to the Windy City thanks to first year coach Ben Johnson and young gun slinger Caleb Williams. The Bears are out of the playoffs, but maybe on of the most famous Chicago legends his making headlines.
Ditka’s vest to pull pretty penny
Mike Ditka continues to be one of the most famous people in the history of Chicago. Him, Michael Jordan and Ernie Banks are on the Mount Rushmore of Windy City sports figures as their legacy lives on years after their careers came to an end. Now Chicago fans have a chance to bid on maybe on of the most important artifacts in the history of the city.
The famous vest that Mike Ditka donned during the famous 1985 season is up for auction, and the bids that have already been submitted are astronomical. This year commemorates the 40th anniversary of that historic season and now the vest he wore during the Bears Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots is up for grabs with bids already reaching $82,000.
The iconic sweater vest worn by Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka during their Super Bowl XX victory is up for auction on the 40th anniversary of the game. https://t.co/AGEi8XII28
— KLST TV (@klstnews) January 28, 2026
As of January 28th, their had already been 26 bids placed on the mythical sweater vest. Bids will be accepted until the day before the Super Bowl on February 8th. The sweater comes with a signed letter from Ditka saying “I, Mike Ditka, personally attest that this Chicago Bears sweater vest is the vest that I wore on January 26, 1986 while coaching the Bears in Super Bowl XX – the franchise’s only Super Bowl victory,” as it’s certificate of authenticity.
Iron Mike’s Windy City legacy
The 1985 Bears are one of the most legendary teams in NFL history. They went 15-1, justing missing out on the second perfect season ever, and would win Super Bowl XVII to bring the city their first and only Lomabrdi Trophy.
Ditka was the head coach of the Bears in their golden age. After playing in Chicago back in the 60s, He coached Chicago from 1982 to 1982. In that time he didn’t just build one of the best teams the NFL has ever seen, he became an icon in the Windy City.
The iconic sweater vest worn by Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka during their Super Bowl XX victory is up for auction on the 40th anniversary of the game. https://t.co/AGEi8XII28
— KLST TV (@klstnews) January 28, 2026
It wasn’t just the way he coached, it wasn’t just the way he talked, it was the way he dressed, the way he represented the city and reflected the blue collar culture of those in Chicago. He was born in Pennsylvania, and grew up in a hard-working, steel town called Aliquippa. He went to the University of Pittsburgh and played tight end for the Panthers before heading to the NFL where he burst on to the scene becoming the first rookie TE to go for 1,000 yards in his first year in the league.
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