Bears, Packers fans credit Mike Ditka for role in storied rivalry

Shiv Chibber, left, and Monil Shah, dressed like former Chicago Bears player and coach Mike Ditka, watch players warm up before a Bears-Packers game on Oct. 11, 2026, in Green Bay. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

Reed Gordon drinks a beer while dressed as Mike Ditka while tailgating outside the stadium before the Bear play the Packers at Lambeau Field on Oct. 11, 2026, in Green Bay, Wis. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Fans pet a dog while tailgating outside the stadium before the Bears play the Packers at Lambeau Field on Oct. 11, 2026, in Green Bay, Wis. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Dressed as Mike Ditka, 11-year-old Reid Jaworski talks with his father Jeff Jaworski outside the stadium before the Bears play the Packers at Lambeau Field on Oct. 11, 2026, in Green Bay, Wis. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Fans tailgate outside the stadium before the Bears play the Packers at Lambeau Field on Oct. 11, 2026, in Green Bay, Wis. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Dressed as Mike Ditka, Brad Schiltz walks through the concourse before the Bears place the Packers at Lambeau Field on Oct. 11, 2026, in Green Bay. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Matt Corrado wears a Mike Ditka jersey while walking outside the stadium before the Bears play the Packers at Lambeau Field on Oct. 11, 2026, in Green Bay, Wis. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)