Hall-of-Famer Mike Ditka won some and he lost some. But in all his years on the gridiron, the Chicago Bears coach said his biggest regret is not running against then state-Sen. Barack Obama for the U.S. Senate, possibly diverting his path away from the White House.
The legendary Chicago Bears coach and current ESPN analyst headed up to Watford City, N. D., last week to attend the grand opening of a new facility run by Canary, formerly known as Frontier Energy Group, The Dickinson Press reported. While Ditka spent some time discussing his awe of North Dakota’s oil activity, he also delved into politics, notably his regret for not running against President Barack Obama for the Illinois seat in the U.S. Senate.
“Biggest mistake I’ve ever made,” the Super Bowl champion said. “Not that I would have won, but I probably would have, and he wouldn’t be in the White House.”
Ditka went on to tout North Dakota’s energy program, saying it is “fantastic,” but feared it could fall into the hands of lawmakers in Washington, D.C.
“It’s a boom for this state and for the country … of course, if the politicians don’t screw up up somehow,” he said.
Ditka, who led the Bears to a Super Bowl win, has a long history of supporting the GOP. Throughout his career, Ditka has made substantial donations to the likes of former President George W. Bush, former Republican Vice Presidential nominee and Presidential candidate Jack Kemp, and former Republican Presidential nominee John McCain (R-Ariz.). Ditka has also been a large contributor to the Republican National Committee and National Republican Senatorial Committee.
