Former Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka is recovering from a "minor stroke" at a Chicago hospital and expects to be released before Sunday.

Ditka, 73, told the Chicago Tribune he was playing cards Friday night when he noticed his hands "weren't working quite right" and then had trouble speaking.

He was feeling good on Saturday and hoped to be released in time to watch the games Sunday, according to ESPN.

On Friday Ditka also gave a positive outlook to the Chicago Tribune. "I feel good right now and it's not a big deal," Ditka said Friday, according to the paper.

Ditka said the doctors diagnosed him with a "very minor stroke."

Ditka suffered a heart attack in 1988 while he was coaching the Bears. According to the Tribune, he has not had major health issues in recent years.

The hugely popular coach works as an ESPN analyst and is not expected to comment on ESPN's NFL shows this weekend, according to the network.

He was at the helm of the Bears 1985 Super Bowl winning season and remains the most beloved by Bears fans, according to Reuters.

While playing with the Bears in the 1960s, he was a five-time Pro Bowl selection at tight end. Later he was transfered to the Philadelphia Eagles and then the Dallas Cowboys when the Cowboys won the Super Bowl VI.

Ditka was also assistant coach for the Dallas Cowboys when they won Super Bowl XII.