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THE Chicago Bears welcome the New England Patriots to Soldier Field for a huge clash on Thursday Night Football.
Viewers will notice several fans in the crowd are wearing fake mustaches – SunSport brings you the reason why.
Bears fans are wearing fake mustaches during the Patriots clash in tribute to the late Mike Ditka, who passed away at the age of 86 earlier this month.
Every fan in attendance at Thursday’s game will receive a Ditka mustache to wear as one of many tributes planned this evening.
The first 10,000 fans will also receive a Bears knit headband, inspired by Ditka’s signature sweater, which he wore during several big moments.
Before kick-off, Chicago will unveil an on-field stencil dedicated to Ditka and those in attendance will observe a pregame moment of silence.
The Bears’ ‘spirit squad’ will wave Ditka-inspired flags during the pre-game ceremonies.
The No89 (Ditka’s retired number) patches will remain on the players’ jerseys for the remainder of the season.
NFL legend Ditka was coach of the Chicago Bears for the team’s only Super Bowl victory in 1985, which came against the Patriots, tonight’s opponents.
During his playing days, he starred for the Bears from 1961 to 1966, winning an NFL championship while he was there in 1963.
Chicago wasn’t crowned NFL champion again until Ditka was coach of the 1985 Super Bowl-winning team.
Wed 9 Sept, 8:20 pm ET - Season opener (New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks)
Thur 10 Sept, 8:35 pm ET – Australia game (San Francisco 49ers vs Los Angeles Rams at Melbourne Cricket Ground)
Wed 25 Nov, 8 pm ET – Thanksgiving Eve game (Green Bay Packers at Los Angeles Rams)
Thur 26 Nov – Thanksgiving day triple-header (Bears at Lions, Eagles at Cowboys, Chiefs at Bills)
Fri 27 Nov, 3 pm ET – Black Friday Football (Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers)
Fri 25 Dec – Christmas day triple-header (Packers at Bears, Bills at Broncos, Rams at Seahawks)
Sun 10 Jan 2027 – End of regular-season
16-31 Jan 2027 – Playoffs
Sun 14 Feb 2027 – Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California
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