RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Chicago Bears football team has officially announced that Mike Ditka will be the 14th and final legendary player to have his number retired by the organization; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this honor by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, The upcoming retirement of Mike Ditka's Number 89 jersey will mark the first such ceremony since Dick Butkus and Gale Sayres were honored in 1994; and
WHEREAS, Known for his aggressive blocking and bone-crushing toughness, "Iron Mike" Mike Ditka introduced a new dimension to the tight end position; and
WHEREAS, A native of Pennsylvania, Mike Ditka was the No. 1 draft pick by the Bears in 1961 and never missed a start in eighty-four games with the Bears; and
WHEREAS, Mike Ditka played from 1961 to 1966 with the Chicago Bears and was a member of its 1963 NFL championship team; and
WHEREAS, Mike Ditka also played from 1967 to 1968 with the Philadelphia Eagles and from 1969 to 1972 with the Dallas Cowboys; and
WHEREAS, When Mike Ditka retired from the league in 1972, he ended his twelve-year career with 427 receptions and 43 touchdowns; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of his remarkable legacy as a football player, Mike Ditka was the first tight end to be honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, Mike Ditka is an iconic figure who is highly revered by all Chicago sports fans for his role in coaching the Bears to victory in Super Bowl XX; and
WHEREAS, Mike Ditka is expected to have his number retired on December 9, 2013, at Soldier Field during a "Monday Night Football" game against the Dallas Cowboys; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this fifth day of June, 2013, do hereby congratulate Mike Ditka on this prestigious honor and do hereby express to him our sincere appreciation for his contributions to professional football; and
Alderman - 14th Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable...
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