Ex-Bears coach Ditka has mild heart attack

Mike Ditka was hospitalized Wednesday in Florida because of a heart ailment, according to reports by the Chicago Sun-Times and WGN-9.

The iconic former Bears coach suffered a heart attack, WGN reported, citing anonymous sources. Ditka reportedly is recovering and expected to be released from the hospital in several days.

“Coach Ditka had a mild heart attack earlier this week,” his agent, Steve Mandell, told ESPN's Adam Schefter. “Doctors inserted a pacemaker and he is doing much better. He appreciates the outpouring of support and expects to be home soon.”

Jarrett Payton, WGN reporter and son of late Bears great Walter Payton, tweeted confirmation that Ditka is in the hospital and is “doing well.”

Ditka previously suffered a heart attack Nov 2, 1988, and famously returned to the Bears sideline 11 days later. He turned 79 on Oct. 19.

AN EXPENSIVE PEACE

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill has been fined $10,026 by the NFL for taunting after he flashed a peace sign at the end of a touchdown catch.

Hill was running into the end zone during a 73-yard reception in the fourth quarter of the Chiefs' 54-51 loss to the Los Angeles Rams last Monday night when he turned back at a pursuing defender and raised two fingers at him — a gesture he has done previously without being fined. He was assessed a 15-yard penalty for taunting.

Hill was penalized but not fined last week when he jumped into the stands after a touchdown and started operating a television camera.

Chiefs safety Eric Murray was docked $26,739 on Saturday for unnecessary roughness during the opening drive of the game.

Denver safety Justin Simmons was fined $53,482 for a helmet-to-helmet hit on a defenseless receiver in the Broncos' 23-22 win over the Chargers last Sunday.

PACK PLACE PERRY ON IR

The Green Bay Packers have placed Nick Perry on injured reserve with a knee injury, ending the veteran outside linebacker's season.

Rookie defensive end James Looney, a seventhround pick out of California, was signed from the practice squad to take Perry's spot on the roster ahead of the road game Sunday night against the Minnesota Vikings.

Perry, who was counted on to provide pass-rush punch from the edge along with Clay Matthews, finishes the season with 24 tackles and 1 1/2 sacks. He was also limited by an ankle injury this year.

The addition of Looney will add depth to a line that might not have starter Mike Daniels for a while because of a left foot injury.