From Brett Favre to Ted Cruz, football and politics pay tribute to Mike Ditka

Tributes to Mike Ditka are pouring in from football stars and politicians alike.

A smoky first meeting

Lions coach Dan Campbell said he loved Ditka. He told reporters about a predraft interview with the coach in a room thick with cigar smoke. Campbell said he could barely make out Ditka in the corner beside a small lamp.

Campbell called it one of the best and most intimidating moments of his life.

Pat McAfee remembered Ditka as a man who would light a cigar, tell a joke and speak the truth.

Rivals and lawmakers

Sen. Ted Cruz pointed to the time Ditka spent as both a player and a coach in Dallas. Calling him a giant of American football, Cruz said Ditka will always hold a special spot in Texas football history.

Brett Favre put the Packers-Bears rivalry aside. He sent condolences to Ditka's family plus Bears fans and said it was an honor to compete against his teams.

Bears coach Ben Johnson called Ditka the gold standard for the franchise and said he felt humbled to sit in the same chair. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said Ditka was an icon in Chicago and across football.

Ditka left the Bears in 1992. The team mostly struggled for years after that but has started winning again under Johnson.