Mike Ditka, former coach for the Bears and Saints, is an old-fashioned coach who believes that the leader of the football team should respect their game on and off of the field.

This is why Ditka has made his frustration known about the Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford consistently wearing his hat backwards.

“I think he can make all the throws. He’s a smart kid,” Ditka said, during an interview with the Detroit Free Press. “I wish he’d put the baseball cap on frontwards instead of backwards all the time.”

Ditka explains that he is not “knocking him”, but he believes he should be a leader, and that his appearance should reflect his leadership.

“If you’re the leader of the football team, I think you’ve got to stand up and be that leader, assume that role,” Ditka said. “A lot of it is what you do on the field, certainly. But I think a little of it has to do with appearance, too. You know, respect the game, respect your team. That’s all.

I’m not knocking him. I’m just saying that’s the first thing I would tell him if I inherited him. When you’re going to go do an interview, put it on like it’s supposed to be on, not backwards, sidewards, whatever way they put them on anymore.”

Luckily for Stafford, Ditka is not his coach. Of course the Lions’ coach could set rules regarding the appearance of his players, but so far, there are none. So, Stafford can, apparently, continue wearing his hat however he wants to.

Image via Twitter