Former Bears coach Mike Ditka has been an integral part of sports pop culture with his signature mustache and shades, as well as his outrageous personality. He was part of the inspiration behind one of television’s most beloved characters.
“Ted Lasso” creator and star Jason Sudeikis revealed on a recent episode of “Hot Ones” that the former Bears legend was the inspiration for Lasso’s look in the show.
“The look was kind of inspired by Mike Ditka,” Sudeikis said. “You know, the shades, the short polyester shorts and the mustache was very much Ditka.”
But that’s where the inspiration ends. Lasso and Ditka couldn’t be more different. While Ditka was outspoken and at times crass, Lasso is exceedingly positive and optimistic.
Sudeikis explained that Lasso is a combination of different mentors throughout the course of his life, especially his Missouri high school basketball coach Donnie Campbell.
“He would do those little turns of phrases like Ted does,” Sudeikis said. “I always loved those things. He was also the one who introduced myself and my teammates to John Wooden.”
Even decades later, Ditka remains an important figure in sports pop culture.
