'Sharing Miracles' Television Program to Feature Super Bowl Winner, Hall-of-Famer ...( WASHINGTON June 3 -- Pro Football Ha...),Health

WASHINGTON, June 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pro Football Hall-of-Famer Mike Ditka, one of the most popular figures in the history of professional sports, will be the subject of this month's episode of Sharing Miracles -- a 30-minute public affairs television program that tells the compelling and inspirational stories of real patients. Sharing Miracles airs every Sunday morning on more than 310 television stations nationwide. Known for his flamboyant style, "Da Coach" is one of only two people ever to win a Super Bowl as a player, assistant coach and head coach.

Mike Ditka began his professional career in football in 1961 with the Chicago Bears, where he was a Pro Bowl choice during his first five seasons. Later, he moved to the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys, where he helped legendary Coach Tom Landry win his first Super Bowl. When he retired as a player after the 1972 season, he ranked second among all tight ends in receptions.

Upon retiring, Ditka joined the Cowboys staff as an assistant coach and remained there for nine seasons. In 1982, he returned to Chicago as the head coach of the Bears, turning around a troubled football program to lead the team to six NFC Central titles, three trips to the NFC championship game, and a Super Bowl victory in 1986. He remained with the team until 1992, four years after being enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988.

Unfortunately, the pressure to win that drove Ditka to victory for so many years also caused him damage, and in 1988, he suffered a heart attack. "My heart attack was brought about by stress," he says in this month's episode of Sharing Miracles. "I always put an emphasis on being first, on winning, and after a while, I think it took its toll."

"After my heart attack, my lifestyle changed; I ate better, I exercised. But I don't think my tension changed and I don't think my attitude changed,"
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