WICKER PARK — Calling all men (and women) with push-broom mustaches.
The Double Door is hosting the "Mike Ditka Look-A-Like" contest on Sunday, the night before the Chicago Bears retire the legendary coach's number worn during his days as a player.
Jeff Hughes, who is running the event, warns the winner can't rely on facial hair and sweater vests alone.
"We're hoping for originality. We aren't discouraging people from performing," said Hughes, who helms Da Bears Blog. "We want [former Bears linebacker] Otis Wilson to see you and somehow be taken back to his locker room in 1985 and 1986 and remember how being in the same room as Mike Ditka really was."
Wilson and James "Big Cat" Williams, who played on the Bears' offensive line for 12 years, will be among the judges for the contest. Hughes, a New Jersey native and New York City resident who has loved the Bears since the "Super Bowl Shuffle" days, said he hopes to bring other former Bears to judge the event.
During the Dec. 9 Monday Night Football game at Soldier Field against the Dallas Cowboys, Ditka's No. 89 jersey will be retired. The winner of the event will win two tickets to that game.
"We're going through various channels to have Mike involved," Hughes said. "He has a big night Monday night, so getting him to Wicker Park might be difficult."
Anyone who attends may participate in the contest, though competition is sure to be fierce. Don "Da Coach" Feuling, who quotes Ditka on his website as saying, "That guy looks more like me than I do!" confirmed via email that he will be competing.
"I think the odds are in my favor," Feuling said.
The 21-and-over event, which will also help match up people with volunteer projects across Chicago, costs $10 to attend. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the competition starts at 8 p.m. All proceeds will go to the Otis Wilson Charitable Association.
Fake mustaches might be handed out at the door, much to the delight of Bears fans, Hughes said.
"He represents something that Chicago fans can relate to: a working-class guy who loved the game of football," Hughes said.
