Bears hand out free Mike Ditka mustaches to 60,000 fans in Soldier Field tribute

The Chicago Bears are honoring Mike Ditka at Soldier Field on Thursday night in their first home game since the Hall of Fame coach died at 86. The centerpiece is pure Ditka: free mustaches for the more than 60,000 fans in the building, part of a slate of tributes planned through the evening.

Hours before kickoff, Bears Chairman George McCaskey stood outside Soldier Field in a No. 89 jersey — Ditka’s number — greeting fans and posing for selfies. The crowd gathered early under sunny skies to tailgate ahead of the Thursday Night Football matchup against the New England Patriots.

A Super Bowl XX echo

The opponent adds its own layer of meaning. Ditka’s 1985 Bears beat the Patriots in Super Bowl XX, and many fans said they want a victory to send him off properly. “The Patriots got a great front line. It’s going to be a tough game. This is not going to be a walk in the park,” fan Rich Galgano said. “We’ll see. I don’t like making predictions, but go Bears!”

That emotion pushed ticket prices to some of the highest in the NFL this season, with get-in prices hovering around $800. Michael and Nanette Silva, who traveled from California, said they paid about $800 per ticket for good seats. “It may be the first and last time we come here,” they said. Jordan and Marcus, also in from California, said the trip “cost us a good arm and leg.”

On the field, both teams arrive at 4-2 and chasing the playoffs. Bears quarterback Caleb Williams returned from a hamstring injury Sunday and was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week, while Drake Maye has been sharp for New England over the last three games. Fan Tristan Clark put the stakes plainly: “5-and-2 is a lot different than 4-and-3, so this win would mean a lot.” Amanda Huerta is all in on Williams: “I think that he’s ready to go, and I think that we’re all ready to go and see him take us to the Super Bowl.”