National Football League

Report: Ditka suffers minor stroke

Published Nov. 16, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Former Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka was feeling “good” Friday after suffering a “very minor” stroke, according to a published report.

The Chicago Tribune reported that Ditka, 73, was hospitalized Friday after the episode.

Ditka told the newspaper he was playing cards at a suburban Chicago country club when he noticed his hands "weren't working quite right." He also said he was having trouble speaking.

But later Friday, Ditka told the paper, "I feel good right now and it's not a big deal."

He said doctors called the stroke “very minor.”

Ditka, who also coached the New Orleans Saints after a Hall of Fame career as a tight end, suffered a heart attack in 1988 while coaching the Bears, but has not had any major health issues in recent years, the report said.

He now works as an analyst for ESPN and owns a Chicago restaurant.