Ditka praises Palin, Lincoln in Washington, IL

Washington, IL, June 6, 2011

Former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka remains an ardent supporter of Sarah Palin. "The Coach of Chicago" spoke about Palin and more in Washington, Illinois, the Peoria Journal Star reports:

Mike Ditka began his Lessons from Leaders keynote address Saturday night at Five Points Washington with an expletive-sprinkled remark about the first speaker in the series.

"I understand Sarah Palin spoke here last year. I admire her," Ditka said about the former vice presidential candidate. "She's a great lady, mother and wife, and that's more important than the (expletive) the media spreads about her."

The typically outspoken Ditka softened the tone of his comments for the rest of his hour-long talk and question-and-answer session.

The former Chicago Bears coach and player, Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, ESPN NFL analyst, entrepreneur and actor touched on a number of topics. He talked about football, politics, his admiration for Abraham Lincoln, and his recipe for personal and professional success in front of an audience of about 300, many wearing Bears attire.

Of Lincoln, Ditka told the audience he admired him "because he never strayed from his convictions, unlike today's politicians."

Washington is a stop on Illinois' Ronald Reagan Trail.

Related post:

Ronald Reagan Trail: Washington, Illinois

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