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Here's how the Chicago Bears will honor Mike Ditka at Soldier Field Thursday

The Chicago Bears are planning numerous tributes to the late Mike Ditka on Thursday when they return to Soldier Field for the first time since his death

The Chicago Bears will play their first home game since Mike Ditka passed away at the age of 86, and there will be plenty of tributes to the legendary coach.

Ditka, who began his Hall of Fame playing career with the Bears and ultimately became the first coach to lead them to a Super Bowl championship, passed away earlier this month, and Thursday will mark the team’s first home game since his death.

As a result, there are numerous tributes planned to Ditka throughout the stadium, according to the Bears.

In addition to the No. 89 patches the team will wear on its jerseys for the remainder of the season, the Bears will also honor Ditka with a pregame moment of silence prior to Thursday’s contest against the New England Patriots, and they will also unveil an on-field stencil dedicated to the former tight end and coach.

The team’s “spirit squad” will also wave Ditka-inspired flags during the pregame ceremonies according to the Bears.

As for fans, there will be plenty of opportunities to honor Ditka. According to the Bears, every fan in attendance at Thursday’s game will receive a Ditka mustache to wear during the contest. The first 10,000 fans will also receive a Bears knit headband, inspired by Ditka’s signature sweater that he wore during numerous big moments for the team, including their Super Bowl triumph over the Patriots.

Finally, the Pro Football Hall of Fame has partnered with the Bears for a memorial honoring Ditka in the south courtyard of Soldier Field, with pieces of memorabilia from throughout his time with the team.

Appropriately enough, these tributes are all taking place as the Bears take on the Patriots, the team Ditka and the Monsters of the Midway defeated for their Super Bowl championship in New Orleans in 1986.

More information can be found on the Bears’ website.

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