Source: Chicago Bears Dick Butkus, an iconic middle linebacker for the Chicago Bears, has died, the team announced Thursday. He was 80. Accordi
Dick Butkus, an iconic middle linebacker for the Chicago Bears, has died, the team announced Thursday. He was 80.
According to a statement released by the team, Butkus’ family confirmed that he died in his sleep overnight at his home in Malibu, California.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement Thursday, “Dick Butkus was a fierce and passionate competitor who helped define the linebacker position as one of the NFL’s all-time greats. Dick’s intuition, toughness and athleticism made him the model linebacker whose name will forever be linked to the position and the Chicago Bears.
“We also remember Dick as a long-time advocate for former players, and players at all levels of the game. The Dick Butkus Award and his foundation honored achievement on the field and service to the community among high school, college and NFL linebackers. Dick was a champion of clean sports as his “I Play Clean” campaign helped raise awareness about the dangers of steroid use among high school athletes.
“We send our deepest condolences to the Butkus family, the Bears organization and the many fans and people he impacted throughout his life.
“Butkus was a professional American football linebacker who played for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL) from 1965 to 1973. He was widely considered one of the greatest linebackers of all time, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979.”
Butkus was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Lithuanian immigrant parents. He attended Chicago Vocational High School, where he was a standout football player. He then played college football at the University of Illinois, where he was a two-time All-American.
The Bears drafted Butkus in the first round of the 1965 NFL Draft. He immediately made an impact on the Bears, leading the team in tackles as a rookie. He went on to play nine seasons with the Bears, and was named to the Pro Bowl eight times.
Butkus was known for his fierce play and aggressive style. He was often called “the dirtiest player in the NFL,” but he was also one of the most talented. He was a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and was named to the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team.
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