e must give him some credit for showing the football world that a tight end can be an impact player. If you roll back the clock back you will find he was the first real productive tight end. Ditka was force for the Chicago Bears as a rookie in 1961 when he scored 12 TDs and went over 1,000 yards receiving. His average yard per catch was staggering 19.2. “Iron Mike” was Rookie of the Year and he eventually went on to be the first tight end selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. While he never topped his rookie stats he was still a feared player throughout his career.