CHICAGO, July 9 (UPI) -- The Illinois Republicans may be trying to entice former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka to run for Senate, but he's busy with his own sportswear collection.
The legendary 65-year-old Super Bowl-winning football coach, analyst, motivational speaker, restaurant owner and commercial pitchman will debut the Mike Ditka Hall of Fame Collection next month.
The high-end apparel line includes silk camp shirts, Polo shirts and shorts that will sell for $65 to $100, Crain's Chicago Business said.
Ditka is scheduled to sign autographs at the collection's Aug. 8 rollout at Chicago's Merchandise Mart.
The sportswear, manufactured by Eagle Dry Goods in Nashville, Tenn., features the same "Iron Mike" embroidered caricature used as the logo at Ditka's restaurant.
More than 6,000 people reportedly have signed a petition on the DraftDitka.com Web site to urge "Da Coach" to replace Jack Ryan in the Illinois Senate race. Ryan dropped out two weeks ago because of sex club allegations in his child custody documents.
