ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown” remembered the late, great Mike Ditka this morning. Ditka, a Hall of Fame tight end turned Super Bowl-winning head coach, passed away earlier this week. He was 86 years old.

“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mike Ditka. While the world knew Mike as a Hall of Fame football player, legendary coach, and leader of the Chicago Bears’ Super Bowl XX championship team, we knew him as the heart of our family. Mike will be missed beyond measure and remembered forever,” the family announced.

“With love and gratitude, The Ditka Family.”

Tributes from the sports world have been pouring in.

Green Bay Packers legend Brett Favre shared: “My condolences to the Ditka family and to all Bear fans on the passing of Coach Mike Ditka. It was truly an honor to play against you and your teams. Now rest in peace and God Bless you Coach.”

On Sunday morning, ESPN remembered Ditka, with a great, moving story from Mike Greenberg to Adam Schefter.

“I’ve never told you this,” Greenberg began.

Greenberg said there was a day on “Sunday NFL Countdown” when Schefter tried to catch passes from a throwing machine. Greenberg said to Ditka, “Schefter’s really funny, isn’t he?”

Ditka said the following: “I love people who love what they do. Adam Schefter loves what he does.”

Schefter was moved to tears.

“He loved what he did, too.”

Ditka was a beloved figure, as a player, a coach and later a media figure. It’s cool to see that he had some special moments with some of ESPN’s top personalities like Greenberg and Schefter over the years, too.

The NFL world will continue to pay tribute to Ditka throughout the day on Sunday.