Mike Ditka's 1961 Chicago Bears Rookie NFL Player Contract Signed by Ditka, George Halas and Pete Rozelle

A remarkable artifact of Chicago Bears history signed by two of the franchise's most important figures — this document was kept by Mike Ditka since the day he originally signed it along with NFL and Bears founder George Halas on January 9, 1961. It marked the beginning of a journey that would see Ditka become a Hall of Fame player and coach of the storied 1985 team that shuffled its way to the Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl XX.

“I was the (fifth) player picked in the draft — $12,000 with a $6,000 signing bonus,” Ditka told Gus Frerotte during “Huddle Up with Gus” podcast in 2008.

“I figured I’d play linebacker when I got to the pros,” Ditka said. “They drafted me, and I went and met (team owner George) Halas, and he said, ‘You’re going to play tight end.’ I said, ‘What the hell is a tight end?’”

Ditka would redefine the position, finishing with 43 touchdowns and 5,812 yards. He was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1988 with the distinction of being the first tight end to receive the honor.

This contract is signed by Ditka, Halas, Ditka's mother Charlotte, and NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle. Standard form player's contract displays expected folds.

Mike Ditka's personal copy.

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Property from The Mike Ditka Collection

This lot is located in Chicago.