The Chicago Bears have stated they plan to retire Mike Ditka's legendary No. 89 this December during a Monday night game against the Dallas Cowboys, and this will be the last number to receive that honor, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Bears won’t retire any more numbers after Mike Ditka’s
No team has more retired numbers than the Bears, but that’s likely to change in the future with the announcement that Ditka’s will be the last.
Malcolm Emmons-US PRESSWIRE
The Bears have decreed there will be no more retired numbers. The timing of the announcement has struck some as odd, considering one of the greatest players ever to wear cleats for Chicago, Brian Urlacher, decided to retire this week.
Extensive Bears coverage at Windy City Gridiron
All things equal, Urlacher will likely be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame after spending his entire 13-year career with the Bears. Yet, it seems he won’t be having a retirement ceremony at Soldier Field for his No. 54.
No team has retired more numbers than Chicago, with Ditka’s being the 14th.
The Bears have a funny history with retired numbers. Dick Butkus’ No. 51 wasn’t retired until well after he retired, and George Halas’ No. 7 was brought out of retirement for quarterback Bob Avellini, a forgettable player from the 1970s.
Urlacher will always be remembered in the Windy City as No. 54, but he won’t be the last one to wear it.
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