Legendary Chicago Bears Coach Mike Ditka (L) and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (R) | Wikipedia
Legendary Chicago Bears Coach Mike Ditka (L) and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (R) | Wikipedia
Chicago Democrat Mayor Brandon Johnson has mispronounced the name of former Chicago Bears Coach Mike Ditka.
Johnson called him "Mike Dicta."
He did it during a Wednesday press conference unveiling plans to build a new domed stadium on the lakefront for the Chicago Bears.
The mispronunciation led to calls for Johnson's resignation by football fans.
"If he cannot pronounce Ditka correctly, then he needs to resign," wrote Ron Tomczak, who owns an orthodontics practice in downstate Normal.
Johnson, age 48, was 11 years old and living in suburban Elgin when Ditka led the Bears to a 15-1 record and 46-10 win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX.
The 1985 Chicago Bears are widely considered not only the best NFL team in league history, but also the best team in the history of team sports.
In 2004, while campaigning in Wisconsin, Democrat Presidential Candidate John Kerry referred to "Lambert Field" as the home of the Green Bay Packers.
"That's akin to calling the Yankees the Yankers or the Chicago Bulls the Bells," the Washington Post wrote.
In 2000, then Illinois Governor George Ryan, a Republican, introduced Ditka at a Chicago Loop rally as "Dick Butkus," another Bears legend, a linebacker who attended Chicago Vocational H.S. and University of Illinois, and is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Alerts Sign-up