Dick Butkus, Chicago Bears linebacker and Hall of Famer, dies at 80

Dick Butkus, the iconic Chicago Bears player, has died at the age of 80. Butkus was known for his toughness and determination on the field, and went on to have a successful career in Hollywood. He was ranked as the second greatest Bear of all time in a 2019 Tribune list. Butkus was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1978. He was also known for his philanthropy, particularly his work to combat performance-enhancing drugs in sports.

Dick Butkus, the iconic player who embodied the tough and determined spirit of the Chicago Bears, has passed away at the age of 80. The Butkus family confirmed that he peacefully passed away in his sleep at his home in Malibu, California. Butkus, a native of Chicago's South Side and a graduate of the University of Illinois, made a name for himself as a fierce linebacker in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He later transitioned into a successful career in television and acting in Hollywood. Despite his success outside of football, Butkus always considered the sport his first love. However, he acknowledged that there were other things in life beyond football.

In 2019, the Tribune ranked Butkus as the second greatest Bear of all time. George McCaskey, chairman of the Chicago Bears, described Butkus as the ultimate Bear and one of the greatest players in NFL history. He praised Butkus for embodying the qualities that the team's founder, George Halas, looked for in a player: toughness, intelligence, instincts, passion, and leadership. McCaskey also highlighted Butkus' philanthropic efforts, particularly his mission to eliminate performance-enhancing drugs from sports and promote heart health.

Butkus' playing career was unfortunately cut short due to multiple knee injuries, which left him with bitter feelings towards the Bears. In 1974, he filed a lawsuit against the team, claiming that they had encouraged him to keep playing despite needing knee surgery. This strained his relationship with Bears owner George Halas. However, they eventually reached a financial settlement, and over the years, Butkus' relationship with the franchise improved.

Born on December 9, 1942, as Richard Marvin Butkus, he was the youngest of nine children in a Lithuanian immigrant family. Butkus grew up in the Roseland neighborhood of Chicago and played high school football for coach Bernie O'Brien at Chicago Vocational. At the University of Illinois, he excelled as both a center and linebacker, earning unanimous All-American honors and multiple awards. In the 1965 NFL Draft, Butkus was selected as the third overall pick by the Bears. This draft also saw the Bears select another future Hall of Famer, Gale Sayers.

Despite never making the playoffs and experiencing only two winning seasons in his nine-year career, Butkus is considered one of the greatest players of all time. His highlight reels are still shocking for their intensity and aggression. He was known for his complete disregard for his opponents' well-being. Even Deacon Jones, a feared defensive player and Hall of Famer, described Butkus as a "maniac" who aimed to put his opponents in the cemetery, not the hospital.

Butkus' skills extended beyond his hard-hitting tackles. He was also adept at pass coverage, with 22 interceptions to his name. He started in all 119 games he played, earning numerous accolades, including being named first-team All-Pro five times and making the Pro Bowl for eight consecutive seasons. He holds the Bears' record for the most fumble recoveries with 27.

Butkus was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1978. In 1994, the Bears retired his jersey number, 51, along with Gale Sayers' number, 40, in a halftime ceremony at Soldier Field.

Beyond his football career, Butkus dedicated himself to philanthropy. He established the Butkus Foundation, which focuses on charitable endeavors. His most notable initiative was the "I Play Clean" campaign, which educates young athletes about the dangers of using steroids. In 1985, the Butkus Award was created to honor the top linebackers in high school, college, and the NFL, taking into account their community service contributions.

Dick Butkus leaves behind a legacy as one of the greatest players in football history. His impact on the game, both on and off the field, will be remembered for generations to come.