He spoke with Fox 32 News about life and mortality Monday in his first sit-down interview since the health scare.
"You can tell I feel good. Yeah, I had a problem. I guess it could happen to anybody. It wasn't because I thought I was in bad health or anything. I've been pretty healthy," Ditka says.
The 73-year-old was at a country club playing cards on Friday when he says his hands weren't working quite right and then he had trouble speaking. Ditka was taken to the hospital where doctors told him he suffered a minor stroke.
"I noticed the problem for about a week. When I bent over to tie my shoes I would get a little pain in my head here and I just assumed, take an Advil and it will go away. And, it did," Ditka explained. "I didn't worry about it. But it was a little more serious than that."
While the Hall of Famer has stayed in relatively good health since suffering a heart attack back in 1988, he still admits, the stroke scared him.
"Well, when you're sitting there and all of a sudden you're trying to shuffle some cards and your right arm and right hand won't work and your words are all jumbled and slurred. And I was dumb enough to say I'm gonna drive myself home. My friend said ‘nope, you're getting in the car, we're going to the hospital.' And, right away they said you had a stroke…a small stroke. But, small, big, otherwise, they're still scary."
As far as things left to accomplish in life, Ditka says, "I like to watch my grand kids grow up and, you know, that's all part of it. But, I learned a long time ago that we don't have any guarantees. You can't draw a game plan for life and say this is what's gonna happen to me, you know? You gotta play by their rules."
Ditka says the stroke has been a humbling experience with an outpouring of love. Though he's feeling good now, he is still recovering and will miss his weekend broadcasting duties at ESPN.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:49:53 GMT
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Saturday, May 18 2013 11:08 PM EDT2013-05-19 03:08:37 GMT
Scott Feldman pitched shutout ball into the seventh inning and drove in two runs with a big two-out double, helping the Chicago Cubs beat the New York Mets 8-2 on Saturday.
Scott Feldman pitched shutout ball into the seventh inning and drove in two runs with a big two-out double, helping the Chicago Cubs beat the New York Mets 8-2 on Saturday.
Saturday, May 18 2013 11:05 PM EDT2013-05-19 03:05:01 GMT
Alberto Callaspo hit a three-run homer in Los Angeles' five-run seventh inning, and the Angels beat the White Sox 12-9 on Saturday to end Chicago's four-game winning streak.
Alberto Callaspo hit a three-run homer in Los Angeles' five-run seventh inning, and the Angels beat the White Sox 12-9 on Saturday to end Chicago's four-game winning streak.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:56 AM EDT2013-05-17 12:56:16 GMT
Jeff Keppinger walked with the bases loaded to drive in the go-ahead run - his first base on balls in 141 plate appearances this season - and the Chicago White Sox rallied with three runs in the eighth.
Jeff Keppinger walked with the bases loaded to drive in the go-ahead run - his first base on balls in 141 plate appearances this season - and the Chicago White Sox rallied with three runs in the eighth.
Thursday, May 16 2013 8:15 PM EDT2013-05-17 00:15:59 GMT
Mayor Rahm Emanuel is announced a multi-million dollar renovation plan Thursday that includes remodeling Navy Pier and building a 10,000-seat basketball arena near McCormick Place
Mayor Rahm Emanuel is announced a multi-million dollar renovation plan Thursday that includes remodeling Navy Pier and building a 10,000-seat basketball arena near McCormick Place
Thursday, May 16 2013 5:25 PM EDT2013-05-16 21:25:20 GMT
Former NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Richard "Dick" Trickle, 71, died on Thursday. According to a release from the Lincoln County (NC) Sheriff's Office, Trickle died from an apparent self-inflicted gun shot wound.
Former NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Richard "Dick" Trickle, 71, died on Thursday. According to a release from the Lincoln County (NC) Sheriff's Office, Trickle died from an apparent self-inflicted gun shot wound.
Thursday, May 16 2013 3:55 PM EDT2013-05-16 19:55:50 GMT
David Beckham is retiring from soccer after the season, ending a career in which he become a global superstar since starting his career at Manchester United.
David Beckham is retiring from soccer after the season, ending a career in which he become a global superstar since starting his career at Manchester United.
