Article: Really, It Is Almost Too Much to Bear: Mellow Mike Ditka

The question just hung there, suspended in phone space, waiting-no, begging-for a vintage Mike Ditka insult. This was the interview equivalent of a fastball down the middle of the plate, a breakaway layup, getting dealt a four of spades to fill your inside straight.

"Mike," the reporter asked, "what was your reaction when you heard about Buddy Ryan almost choking on a pork chop?"

Oh, this would be good. Ditka on archenemy Ryan, the former defensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears who now coaches the Philadelphia Eagles. Ditka and Ryan coexisted much like Germany and Russia did way back when: badly. When Ryan left Ditka's Bears coaching staff in 1986, he nearly was injured, what with the ...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!