Coahc Mike Ditka passed away last Friday, closing the chapter on his 86 years on this planet. A man who pushed those around him to be great, and wasn’t afraird to do hard things (even if sonetimes they didnt work out like he hoped.)
11 Pax assembled in the waning gloom, to enjoy mild temps and high humidity that turned the grass into a shoe-soaking playing field for the beatdown.

Training Camp (Warm-O-Rama)
– 20 SSH
– 10 Imperial Walkers
– 10 Slow Squats
– 10 Alternating Side Lunges
– Arm Circles, forward/back
– 20-yard High Knees
– 20-yard Butt Kickers

Ditka’s 1985 Bears perfected the 46 Defense. That defense wrekced people that year, including the Patriots in the Superbowl in New Orleans. After shutting out both of their playoff opponents the Bears held the Pats to 10 points and 7 yeards of rushing in the Superbowl, logging 7 sacks and 4 fumbles in the game.

THANG 1 | ’85 Bears: 46 Defense
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In the field 4 corners, 3 rounds. Side Shuffle between stations.
4 Cones 20yd X 20yd

1. Singletary: 10 Skater Hops (2:1)
2. The Fridge: 10 Hillybilly (wide) Squats
3. Richard Dent: 10 Diamond Merkins
4. The Blitz: 10 Mountain Climbers (2:1)
**** REPEAT 3X ****

THANG 2 – THE GAME
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Partner Up – Spread out on the line
Pax A: Hold Al Gore arms out (O-Line blocker)
Pax B: 10 reps, then 20 yard sprint and back
Switch

Q1: Squats
Q2: American Hammers
Q3: LBCs
Q4: Iron Mikes

In reality, this was more of a pre-season game plagued by questionable execution. But I’ll blame it on the Q’s bad coaching.and shaky gameplan. Still, heart rates stayed up, and many touchdowns were scored, even if we werent keeping score.

Unbeknownst to more Pax than I expected, Ditka coached the Saints for 3 years, posting a combined record of 15-33. The 1999 season spelled the end for Mike D after the Saints posted a 3-13 record.

So we memorialize that with this:

THANG 3 | Saints 3–13 Season
Mosey to the side stairs. 13 Losses: 3 rounds of:
– 13 Plank Jacks, 13 BBSUs, 13 Freddie Mercuries 2:1
Double Step up the Stairs, 3 Bobby Hurleys to celebrate the wins…

The disastrous 1999 season may have been a result of that season’s draft, when Ditka mortgaged the farm for Texas Heismann Trophy winning running back, and certified ganjatrician, Ricky Williams. Ditka gave up 7 rounds worth of draft choices (and next year’s 1st rounder) to draft Williams, but scored an ESPN Magazine cover shoot in the process…

Every round, the lack of picks got more painful, so we stack….

Round 1 – 5 Merkins
Round 2 – 10 SSH + 1
Round 3 – 10 LBCs + 2 + 1
Round 4 – 10 Skater Hops + 3 +2 + 1
Round 5 – 10 High Knees 2:1 + 4 thru 1
Round 6 – 10 Good Mornings + 5 thru 1
Round 7 – 10 Iron Mikes / Bonnie Blairs + 6 thru 1

a 10 yard sprinf and back between each round.

Kudos to this pack of Pax who blew this out of the water.

Just enough time for a mosey to the back of the museum for a round of Sunday Mornings, then a mosey back to the flag.
Except JYD, who heard mosey and said NOT TODAY, COACH and took off in a full sprint for the flag – You go, Dawg!

CoR, NoR, CoT

Gratitude. For all the men who show up every day, For the men who help others show up every day. For the men who hold others accountable to be a better version of themselves. For the men who get out there and get after it, and by that, inspire those around them.