The George Halas Tribute To Mike Ditka

"Papa Bear" George Halas was on his death bed in the fall of 1983 when he proclaimed that his new coach for the Chicago Bears, Mike Ditka, would lead the team to win the Superbowl.  He asked his secretary to purchase a bottle of Dom Peringon champagne and inscribed a note that said:

"Give this to Mike when he wins the Superbowl, Coach Halas"

Three years later, immediately after Superbowl XX, Mike Ditka, his team mates, and fans were basking in the glory of their triumphant victory.  "Papa Bear's" secretary brought this bottle down to the locker room, and presented Mike Ditka with it. Upon reading the note the Coach was brought to tears, this gesture meaning much more than anything else that was happening around him at the time.

This painting was given to Coach Ditka later as a memento of that tribute.