Mike Ditka’s One Regret About Walter Payton

I know he lived to regret that, Chris Berman said when Christopher Russo asked whether Mike Ditka regretted not getting Walter Payton a touchdown in Super Bowl XX.

The Bears won the game 46-10 over New England on January 26, 1986. Payton carried 22 times for 61 yards without scoring, while defensive tackle William Perry, used in the backfield, scored on a one-yard run.

On Mad Dog Unleashed, Russo brought up the contrast between the touchdown Perry received and the one Payton never had. Berman answered from his experience working with Ditka on television, recalling conversations during their years as colleagues.

But I know he lived to regret that, and he regretted that.

Berman’s account was a recollection of Ditka’s feelings, rather than a new statement from the former coach. He connected it to Payton’s place in Chicago and the difficult team seasons through which the running back had played before that championship.

Russo had already raised the same subject in his Ditka tribute. He recalled a Bears offense that included Payton, quarterback Jim McMahon, receiver Willie Gault and a strong offensive line, then returned to the Super Bowl scoring.

Perry scored, but not Walter, Russo said.

New England’s official account of the game also records touchdown runs by McMahon and fullback Matt Suhey. The title was Chicago’s first since 1963, when Ditka was a Bears player.

Russo framed his own assessment as a belief about what Ditka would have wanted with another opportunity.

I think if he could do that over again, he would have figured out a way to get Walter, get him in the end zone in that situation.