Ditka Named to Hall of Fame

CANTON, Ohio — Chicago Bears Coach Mike Ditka and three NFL standouts of the 1970s--Fred Biletnikoff of the Oakland Raiders, Jack Ham of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Alan Page of the Minnesota Vikings--were selected today as 1988 inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Ditka, who played 12 seasons for the Bears, is the first pure tight end ever elected to the Hall. Biletnikoff, a wide receiver, is the fifth Raider to be inducted. Ham, a linebacker, was the second player from the Steelers’ “Steel Curtain” years to be honored, following “Mean Joe” Greene. Page, a longtime defensive tackle for Minnesota, became the second Viking to make the Hall, joining quarterback Fran Tarkenton.