Mike Ditka’s Demeanor Casts Doubt

Mike Ditka says he was tired during taping of a sports television show Sunday, but a newspaper suggested the coach’s slurred speech was the result of his celebrating the Chicago Bears’ National Football League victory over Kansas City.

In a front-page story, the Chicago Sun-Times said radio talk shows, newspapers and television stations were flooded with calls from people inquiring about Ditka’s slurred speech, sing-song delivery and heavy eyes on WBBM-TV’s “Bears Extra.”

Told that the viewers thought he was either drunk or overly tired after the 31-28 victory over the Chiefs Sunday, Ditka said: “Yeah, that’s it, I really got tired. I fell asleep and just couldn’t get back with it.”

Witnesses said that Ditka warmed up with champagne and song at Eli’s The Place for Steak before taping the show at 7:30 p.m., the Sun-Times reported.

The show, hosted by Johnny Morris, followed the late news on WBBM.

Morris, a former Bear player and teammate of Ditka in the 1960s, said he “noticed a bit of slurring” when he reviewed the tape, but decided it should air anyway.

“I thought most of the things he said made sense,” Morris said. “He looked tired to me. I didn’t smell alcohol or anything.”