Iron Mike's smiles hinted at trade

For three or four days before Aug. 18 I was shocked to see on TVnews reports how Bears coach Mike Ditka was smiling and happpilyanswering the questions of the reporters. He looked like the cat whoswallowed the canary. This was a far cry from his usual uglyattitude toward reporters in past news conferences.

Then on Aug. 18, I heard the news that Jim McMahon was beingtraded to San Diego. It was then I realized why Ditka had thissudden personality change. He undoubtedly knew days in advance whatwas going to take place; the thorn in his side was finally beingextricated. The only …