It always seemed as if it would be a cold day in hell before the Bears retired Mike Ditka’s No. 89. Perhaps today is the today, considering it will be 12 degrees at kickoff for tonight’s Bears-Dallas game.

The Bears finally will put his number out of circulation, 47 years after he played his last game for them. Make no mistake, Ditka still is tough at 74. A little cold weather won’t bother him.

“I’ll have a topcoat on,” he said. “I’ll have a nice thick sweater and some corduroys. I’ll be fine.”

To mark the occasion, I did my Chicago Tribune column media column on Ditka, noting his long run as a network analyst and asking about his future. Here is the entire Q/A.

Did you ever think you would do it this long as an analyst? You started at NBC in 1993. You’re still doing it 20 years later.

No, I didn’t. I think the opportunity came up. It was a great opportunity. I enjoy it. I’m very appreciative. I think it’s coming to an end now. I’m getting a little too old for all this traveling.

Twenty years is an eternity in this business. What does it say for your staying power?

You would know more about that than me. It’s been one helluva a ride. I’ve been able to be in football as a player, assistant coach, head coach. To be able to be in broadcast industry and analyze games and talking about it…And people pay you to do it, that’s pretty good.

How would you describe your approach?

I don’t want to get into all the stats and this and that. Or rankings as to why people are successful or not successful. Players determine the outcome of the games. The coach’s decisions has something to do with it. Basically, the better the players, the better the team.

I don’t look at film like I used to when I first started out. I just watch the games. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out what a team is trying to do. Why they set up play-action. If a team is playing a lot of man-to-man, you’re going to see a lot of crossing routes. It’s not too hard.

I’m not a genius. Far from it. I’m saying, it’s not that complicated. If you hit the other guy harder than he hits you, chances are you’ve got a chance to win.

You created waves by calling Jonathan Martin, “a baby.”

It’s who I am. My opinion isn’t going to change on that. You don’t want people like that on your football team. Period. I’m not politically correct. I’m not trying to be politically correct. It’s just what it is. Football is a tough sport. It’s a man’s sport. What happens in the lockerroom stays in the lockerroom. When something happens like that, you destroy the entire organization. You make everyone look bad. That’s not fair.

I think the fine on Tomlin was absurd. It’s embarrassing to me. The guy wouldn’t have ran five more yards without being tackled. Whether he tried doing that, I don’t know. I don’t think Mike Tomlin is that kind of guy. I’m not going to argue with the commissioner. If they think it is important to make an example out of somebody. You never can convince me he did it on purpose. You never can convince me that he hurt the game.

How do you enjoy working at ESPN?

It’s a different culture. They’re all younger than me. My perception of the game is a little bit different. But they’re all great guys. I love working with Boomer. We have fun.

What is your routine?

I fly in on Saturday. I go to a cigar club where I belong. I smoke cigars and watch all the college games. On Sunday, I wake up in the morning and go to ESPN. I do the show. When the show is over, I go to the cigar club and watch all the pro games. That’s what I do. It’s not too exciting.

You are 74. How much longer do you want to keep doing this?

I’m not getting any younger. The work being an analyst is not hard. The hard part is getting there. If I had a way to get there instantly or both, on a private plane or something, it would be different. Going through the airports kind of gets old. Most of these airlines are nice. They pick me up and give me a ride. Some of them don’t. When they don’t, I’ve got a long walk.

Would you miss not being in the spotlight?

I’ve been in the spotlight my whole life. It’s been a helluva ride. It started out in 1961 when I came here with Coach Halas. Coach Landry hired me as a player. Hired me as a coach. I came back and Coach Halas hired to coach the Bears. My one big regret is he never got to see us win the Super Bowl. That’s why he brought me back.

It’s been fun. Everything I’ve done, I’ve had a great time.

When will you make a decision?

After the season, I’ll know more about what I want to do. I’ve got a place in Florida. I want to spend more time there. I have some restaurants now. I spend a lot of time there.

Are you surprised that you’re still in such high demand for commercials?

That really is surprising to me. I have no idea why. I thought people wanted these young guys. Maybe they want the old guys too.

How do you feel about your number being retired?

It’s such a great honor. When you look at the players who have had their numbers retired, it’s pretty significant when you start talking about those guys. It doesn’t change the pleasure and joy that I’ve had about being a Bear player and a coach. Being part of the Halas Bears and then creating our little run in the 80s. It doesn’t change that. Even if they didn’t do anything, it wouldn’t change all that. It’s a wonderful honor. I’m going to enjoy it on Monday. Then I won’t think about it too much.

What is the state of your golf game?

My golf game sucks. I’ve got to get better at it. That’s what I’m killing me. I used to play pretty good. I can’t hit the ball out of my shadow anymore.