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ESPN NFL analyst Mike Ditka is in the hospital after suffering a minor stroke on Friday. Ditka was at a suburban country club in Chicago playing cards Friday when he suffered the stroke. Ditka told ESPN Saturday morning that he was feeling good and hoped to be released from the hospital in time to watch the games Sunday. Ditka, 73, will not be on ESPN's NFL shows this weekend in Bristol, Conn., but expects to return soon. Ditka, who coached the Chicago Bears from 1982-92, 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. When reached Friday night, Ditka told the Chicago Tribune that he was feeling "good right now and it's not a big deal." Ditka was the fifth overall pick of the Bears in the 1961 draft out of Pittsburgh. As a tight end, he was named rookie of the year and made five straight Pro Bowls. Ditka was was traded to the Eagles in 1967, and finished his playing career with the Cowboys. 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. After going 5-11 in 1992, Ditka was fired. He coached the Saints from 1997-2000, before retiring with a record of 121-95. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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