Ditka’s death revives memories of his Ricky Williams draft gamble
The Hall of Famer and Super Bowl-winning coach died Friday at 86, renewing attention on his 1999 trade of eight draft picks for Heisman winner Ricky Williams — a move that preceded a 3-13 season and his firing.
Mike Ditka will be remembered for winning a Super Bowl, becoming a Hall of Fame tight end and building one of the biggest personalities in NFL history. But after his death Friday at age 86, football fans also revisited a gamble that showed just how strongly Ditka trusted his instincts.