Bears Legend Mike Ditka Suffers Mild Heart Attack Playing Golf

NAPLES, FL — Legendary Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka suffered a mild heart attack earlier this week, the Hall of Famer's agent told ESPN. He's recovering at a Florida hospital after receiving a pacemaker.

"He appreciates the outpouring of support and expects to be home soon," Steven Mandell, Ditka's agent, told ESPN.

Ditka, who turned 79 last month, had been playing golf Wednesday in Naples, Florida, when he suffered the heart attack, according to WGN-TV. He's expected to be in the hospital for three or four days before heading home for rehab, the report added.

This isn't the first time Da Coach has had to deal with heart problems, either. He suffered a heart attack in 1998 while coaching the New Orleans Saints, but he defied his doctor's orders and was back on the sidelines in 11 days.

Ditka also had a "very minor stroke" in 2012 while playing cards at a Chicago area country club. Iron Mike had been working for ESPN as part of its Sunday NFL coverage at the time, and the medical issue forced him to miss that weekend's broadcast.

Once news of Ditka's heart attack broke, the former head coach and NFL tight end received well wishes from the Bears, as well as the son of one of the team's most beloved players, Walter Payton.

We'd like to think that Ditka performed chest compressions on himself — possibly with a 9 iron — while waiting for paramedics to arrive. Sure, it's extremely unlikey, but like that reporter at the end of "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" said, "When the legend becomes fact, print the legend. Especially if the legend gives you a chance to use a clip and GIF of a classic Bill Swerski's Super Fans sketch from a 1991 'Saturday Night Live' episode."

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Legendary Chicago Bears Coach Mike Ditka in 2017 (Photo by Kena Krutsinger | Getty Images)