Mike Ditka says he feels good

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print

Hall of Famer and ESPN analyst Mike Ditka said Monday he's feeling good just days after suffering a minor stroke.

"I feel good. I felt good before I had this thing," Ditka said on his weekly "Mike and Mike in the Morning" appearance on ESPN Radio. Ditka was released from the hospital on Sunday after receiving a clean bill of health from doctors.

Ditka's agent, Steve Mandell, told ESPNChicago.com on Sunday that Ditka plans on hosting his radio program, "The Mike Ditka Show," on Tuesday on ESPN 1000. Ditka, 73, was at a suburban country club in Chicago playing cards Friday when he suffered the stroke.

"I was kind of like driving down the highway of life real fast and I had a flat tire," Ditka said Monday. "It opens your eyes."

Ditka, a former tight end who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the class of 1988, described himself as "optimistic."

"I feel good about everything. I’'m going to be all right," Ditka said.

Ditka, who coached the Bears from 1982 to 1992, hasn't had any health problems since suffering a heart attack on Nov. 2, 1988, after the Bears lost to the New England Patriots. He returned on Nov. 13 that season to oversee a 34-14 win over Washington.

He was named head coach of the Bears In 1982. Three years later, he led Chicago to a Super Bowl victory over the Patriots. The Bears finished the season with an 18-1 record. He coached the Saints from 1997 to 2000 before retiring with a record of 121-95.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print
• Subscribe