Mike Dikta Biography

Mike Keller Dikta, often known as Mike Dikta, is a popular name in American football as a player and as a coach. He has also shown his presence in Television as a commentator. He is also inducted as a member of both college football and pro football hall of fame. Also known by the nickname “Iron Mike”, Dikta has served as a coach for AP, UP and the New Orleans Saints. He has experience of working as broadcaster in various media including NBC, CBS Sports, KJR-AM Seattle and ESPN.

Mike Dikta was born on October 18, 1939 in Pittsburgh, Carnegie, Pennsylvania as a oldest child of Charlotte Keller and Mike Dikta, Sr. He grew up with his three siblings in nearby Aliquippa. His father was from Polish and Ukrainian ancestor and his mother was from Irish and German ancestor. Dikta joined St. Titus School and later he attended Aliquippa High School where he played football under coach press Maravich. Later he was recruited by University of Pittsburrgh, Notre Dame and Penn State.

Dikta started to play for University of Pittsburgh from 1958 and played their until 1960 and he joined the Sigma Chi Fraternity as a member. He was widely considered one of the best tight ends in college football history on the college Football All-America team selection in his senior year. He was inducted in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1968. Dikta started his professional playing career from Chicago bears. During his days in Chicago he won Rookie of the Year for honors for his best performance in tight end position. He played NFL from Chicago Bears introducing new dimension to a tight end. Later on he played for Philadelphia Eagles in 1967 and Dallas Cowboys in 1969 and retired from playing career in 1977.

After retiring from playing career, Dikta was hired by Cowboy’s head coach Tom Landry and he served Cowboys as an assistant coach. He spent nine seasons in Cowboys and helped Cowboys to made playoffs eight times, win six division titles and a Super Bowl in 1977 and three NFC championships. After having successful tenure at Cowboys as an assistant coach, Dikta served Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints as a head coach. During his tenure, Bears defense was considered as one of the best ever by football commentators. He retired from football coach in 1999.

After retiring from football as a player and coach, Dikta was not able to keep himself aside from football, so he started work as an analyst for NFL live and as a color commentator for many other broadcasts. He currently works as a commentator on ESPN. In 1985 season, Dikta was arrested and convicted of DWI after match against the 48\9ers.

Talking about his personal life, Dikta was married with woman named Marge in 1961 but they divorced in 1973. In 1977, he got married with Diana Dikta and he has four children. Dikta stands tall with height of 6’3’’. During his career as a player, coach and broadcaster Dikta has made net worth of $44 million.

• American football player