CHICAGO (AP) Hall of Famer Mike Ditka will have his No. 89 retired by the Chicago Bears next season.

The Bears said Friday the number will be retired at halftime of their Monday night game against the Dallas Cowboys at Soldier Field on Dec. 9, a fitting tribute for a player who revolutionized the tight end position with his pass-catching ability and later coached the 1985 team to the Super Bowl championship.

In a statement, he called it "a tremendous honor" and added: "When you think of all the great Bears players who have had their jerseys retired, I can't say that there's any greater honor. I'm very humbled by it and very thankful that (chairman George McCaskey) made the decision to go ahead and do that because it's really great."