Mike Ditka calls Lamarr Houston's celebration injury 'embarrassing'
Former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka called out the team in his weekly Chicago Sun-Times column, writing that defensive end Lamarr Houston’s celebration was “embarrassing,” and that the defense is the “worst” he’s seen in a long time.
Houston tore his ACL Sunday while celebrating a sack that happened when the Bears were down 25 points to the Patriots in the fourth quarter. Ditka criticized the move, saying that the only time to celebrate is after a team wins the game.
"You know, every time a guy makes a play, there has to be all kinds of gyrations and actions," Ditka wrote. "It actually becomes embarrassing to the game. The game is bigger than the people playing it. These people don’t seem to understand that."
Ditka also pointed out that the defense hasn’t been able to stop anybody this season. “It’s the worst defense I’ve seen in a long time. No question about it,” he wrote.
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This is not the first time Ditka has voiced his opinion on the Bears' disappointing season. Following their home loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 7, he questioned the team's leadership and criticized coach Marc Trestman's rotating captains policy.
Ditka coached the 1985 Bears to a Super Bowl victory and is often credited for leading one of the best defenses in NFL history.
The Bears are currently ranked 18th in the league in total defense. They have given up an average of 262.3 passing yards per game, ranking 23rd in the league.
Chicago is third in the NFC North with a record of 3-5. They have a bye week before playing the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Nov. 9.
- Danielle Zhu
