Ditka Answers Query About Harbaugh With Profane Tirade, Then Walks Out

Chicago Bear Coach Mike Ditka cut short his news conference Monday with a profanity-laced tirade after he was asked if he deliberately walked away from Jim Harbaugh after the quarterback had thrown an interception in Sunday’s 31-14 victory over Tampa Bay.

“No, I do it all the time,” Ditka said. “How many plays do we average a game? Sixty-four? How many games have we played? Six? That’s what, 400 plays? I’ve been calm for 399 plays and got excited on one play.”

Ditka then unleashed a stream of obscenities, provoking Phil Theobald of the Peoria Journal Star to walk out.

“Coach, I’ve respected you, and that’s the first time I’ve been called those names,” Theobald said as he left.

“Good,” Ditka said, “I’m glad you’ve respected me.”

With that, Ditka unhooked his microphone and left.

The matter stems from Ditka’s blowup in a 21-20 loss at Minnesota on Oct. 4 in which Harbaugh changed a play at the line of scrimmage and threw an interception that Todd Scott returned 35 yards for a touchdown.

Ditka shouted at Harbaugh on the sidelines and later said he had told him not to call audibles because of noise in the Metrodome.