Tom Waddle on Mike Ditka, Bears-Packers Rivalry & His Unlikely NFL Journey

The Larry & Big Man Show · Oct 31, 2026 · 47m

Former Chicago Bears wide receiver and longtime sports broadcaster Tom Waddle joins Larry Richert and Jay Caufield for a wide-ranging conversation about his unlikely path to the NFL, his relationship with legendary coach Mike Ditka, and what made Chicago embrace him as one of its own.

Waddle shares the incredible story of arriving in Chicago as an undrafted free agent, being cut multiple times by Ditka, and finally getting his opportunity in 1991, then catching a touchdown against Minnesota and hearing Ditka tell him, “Kid, I always knew you could do it.” He also looks back on his memorable…