Ditka Is Fuming After McMahon Misses Practice

Jim McMahon has angered Mike Ditka by missing practice, and the Chicago Bears coach said Thursday that his star quarterback would be fined for his absence.

“He didn’t come out today,” Ditka said after the final workout at the University of Wisconsin Platteville training camp. “He must have had a bad night.”

An 11 p.m. curfew was extended to 1 a.m. for Chicago players Wednesday night. But they were expected to be at practice by 8:30 a.m. before heading back to Chicago after lunch.

Ditka said he had no idea where McMahon was at practice time.

“I didn’t check his room, the bathroom or the closet,” Ditka said. “I don’t intend to. I checked the field, and he wasn’t there.”

Ditka added that McMahon will not play Saturday in an exhibition game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The missing quarterback was seen walking across the field shortly before practice in sweatclothes.

Asked later about Ditka’s comments, McMahon said he was getting treatment, along with other injured Chicago players.

“If (Ditka) wants to fine us all, he can go ahead,” McMahon said.