NFL coaches share incredible Mike Ditka stories as football world mourns the Bears legend

"I got a great Ditka story. Somebody I just loved growing up, man, and Ditka was it. Huge fan. So, when I'm able to come out, I'm getting drafted to go to the combine. Well, the Saints want to meet with me, in particular, Mike Ditka, right? Tight end, uh, hell of a player, hell of a coach, all the whole thing," Campbell said.

Campbell, who was already nervous about meeting the Hall of Fame tight end, assumed there would be other people in the room with Ditka.

"No. I go in and there's one little light on. It's like a little lamp in the corner, you know? It's at the train station and there's nothing in there. There's no couches there. The room is totally cleaned out and there's one little table and the room is full of smoke," Campbell said.

"I mean, you can't hardly even see him. You just see this image off in the corner of this little lamp and smoke everywhere and he's got that big fat cigar."

Campbell called the meeting with Ditka one of the "best" and most "intimidating" experiences of his life, but looks back on it fondly.

"It was awesome though, man. Just him asking questions about, where you grew up, how you think, how you're wired, the game, what you see, it was awesome. And thoughts and prayers go out to his family. You know, he's a legend. He's a legend," Campbell said.

During their discuccion, Ditka began writing checks, and lots of them.

"Then I finally said, 'Hey, you know, what are you doing, coach?' And he said he had gotten a letter, and it was like a stack of letters, and people that were in need that he was writing $500 checks each," Harbaugh told reporters at a press conference.

"'I, do you know those people?'" Harbaugh asked.

"'No, don't know them.' And that was all he said."

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson called Ditka the organization's gold standard .

"I just want to start off extending my condolences to the Ditka family. Sad news here this morning, obviously. As far as I'm concerned, coach Ditka is the gold standard in terms of this place. He's a legend around here, as a player, as a coach. His impact is still being felt to this day and as the head coach of the Bears," Johnson said at a press conference.

"I feel humbled to be in that same chair that he was once in. It's a sad day just hearing he is passing on, he's in our thoughts and prayers."

Several other NFL coaches opened their Friday news conferences by acknowledging Ditka's death and offering condolences to his family.

Ditka's illustrious career and numerous accolades speak for themselves, but his stories and lasting impact will be remembered for generations.