DA Bearssss, oh you betcha: Mike Ditka praises a "great lady."

Ditka praises Palin, talks football during Five Points address

By STEVE STEIN
Journal Star
Posted Aug 07, 2011 @ 04:38 PM
Last update Aug 07, 2011 @ 10:43 PM



Former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka, right, signs an autograph for Nick Whitmer of Washington at Five Points Washington on Saturday night.

http://www.pjstar.com/free/x1852600799/Ditka-praises-Palin-talks-football-during-Washington-address

WASHINGTON — Mike Ditka began his Lessons from Leaders keynote address Saturday night at Five Points Washington with an expletive-sprinkled remark about the first speaker in the series.

"I understand Sarah Palin spoke here last year. I admire her," Ditka said about the former vice presidential candidate. "She's a great lady, mother and wife, and that's more important than the (expletive) the media spreads about her."

The typically outspoken Ditka softened the tone of his comments for the rest of his hour-long talk and question-and-answer session.

The former Chicago Bears coach and player, Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, ESPN NFL analyst, entrepreneur and actor touched on a number of topics. He talked about football, politics, his admiration for Abraham Lincoln, and his recipe for personal and professional success in front of an audience of about 300, many wearing Bears attire.