The wild tale of when Washington great Dexter Manley and Mike Ditka hated each other's guts

Ryan upped sticks for the Philadelphia Eagles after 1985, just one chapter in his rivalry with Ditka that was probably more bitter than what went on with 'Iron Mike' and Manley. Even without Ryan, the Bears were still seen as the immovable object atop the NFL mountain, but there was only one problem.

A problem brought to life by the Burgundy and Gold, and a pass-rusher that Ditka hated. And apparently, Ditka had less respect for a certain item of fruit.

Dexter Manley ended a dynasty and Mike Ditka predictably lashed out

Verbal volleys and retribution didn't get going until Manley and his Washington teammates shocked the 1986 Bears at Soldier Field in the playoffs. The 27-13 win is remembered less than what would come a year later, but this was arguably a more impressive performance.

These Bears were 14-2 and allowed fewer points than the 1985 defense, just 187. What these Bears didn't have was McMahon, who was laid low with injury, leaving Doug Flutie to try and work a miracle.

Manley did his part to make sure it didn't happen by transforming from a deluxe quarterback hunter who'd logged a franchise single-season record 18.5 sacks into a rugged run defender. He led a unit that limited Payton to 38 yards on 14 carries.

Something about Manley's swagger must've irked Ditka. The coach never short of a soundbite or two had plenty to say when the two teams met for another divisional round showdown the following season.

The pre-game nugget for the press involved Ditka calling Manley "sunkist" and implying he had "the IQ of a grapefruit." Ditka also took umbrage with how Manley responded to the national anthem in The Windy City, according to UPI Sports Writer Randy Minkoff:

It was a disgrace. If that's all the respect he has for his country... You learn in the fifth grade how to act during the national anthem. He was running up and down the sidelines and had his head in the heater. And I'm crazy for inciting him.Mike Ditka

Believe it or not, Ditka's poorly chosen words about Manley's intelligence weren't the only bulletin board material the Bears provided Washington. Minkoff also reported Ditka's offensive coordinator Ed Hughes "implied the Skins' defensive line was too old and cornerback Darrell Green was afraid of Willie Gault."

Manley had all the motivation he needed to make a point to Ditka, and he soon did just that.

Dexter Manley answered Mike Ditka's criticism in the best way possible

Ditka first tried to make a point of his own by running Payton and Matt Suhey straight at Manley. He responded with decisive tackles and was less than bashful about pointing straight at Ditka and putting him on the receiving end of some smack talk for a change.

Manley was in the mood for revenge, and the Bears tried everything to keep him under wraps. Yet, all the double-teaming did was free others to sack McMahon five times.

The most brutal hit McMahon took was from blitzing middle linebacker Neal Olkewicz. It knocked the wind out of the Bears and their quarterback, sending Washington on a path to erase a 14-0 deficit. Green's memorable 52-yard house call on a punt return was the dagger blow.

Green iced a 21-17 victory, and the Bears' would-be dynasty was officially done. Just as Washington's reign came to an end in the 1984 playoffs thanks to Ditka's men.

Manley, now on his way to a second Super Bowl title, had made his point and was determined to make sure Ditka knew. Keeping it short and sweet, at least initially, Manley simply said, "'Bye. See that Mike gets it. You don't need to say goodbye. Bye will do," per Bill Center of The Oklahoman.

Manley wasn't done yet, though:

I think the Bears are a bunch of arrogant .... I think they believe they are more important than sliced bread. Their whole coaching staff feels that way. Their front office feels that way. The whole Bear organization is arrogant. It starts from the top and pours down ... big mouths. They must think it's cute, or funny. The Bears' attitude is the damnedest thing I've ever seen in this sport.Dexter Manley

That's the way to settle a feud, and Ditka later expressed regret about what he'd said about Manley's brains. An apology was in order even before Manley revealed illiteracy in 1989. Manley also dealt with demons related to cocaine use that led to the premature end of his NFL career and would land him in prison.

In his peak playing days, Manley had been the game-wrecker opponents feared. No opponent did more to earn Manley's wrath than Ditka's Bears.

Their feud highlighted the difference between how two of the best teams of the 80s approached the game. The Bears were brash and crude, but Ditka's counterpart in Washington, Joe Gibbs, wouldn't brook trash talk before the fact.

Gibbs was an understated great who stressed strategy and quiet confidence. Manley may have been his most rebellious pupil, but he applied these lessons perfectly to see off Iron Mike.

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