One of the fiercest competitors and greatest defenders in National Football League history passed away early Thursday. Dick Butkus, the Bears linebacker who was long considered the standard for excellence at the position, passed away in his sleep at his home. He was 80 years of age at the time of his death.
Richard Marvin Butkus was born in Chicago in 1942, and he attended the University of Illinois downstate in Champaign. When it was time to go pro, he didn’t have to go too far. Following an All-American senior season, he went home to Chicago, when the Bears selected him third overall in the 1965 NFL Draft.
He would go on to have a Hall of Fame career, playing his entire career (1965-1973) with his hometown team, becoming known as one the game’s hardest hitters. Dick Butkus was also one of the faces of the golden TV era of pro football. He was frequently featured in several of the old NFL Films specials, featuring the booming voice of John Facenda. Along with contemporaries like Jim Brown and Joe Namath, Butkus was a high-level athlete with a high-level persona and personal portfolio.
Dick Butkus turned into a crossover star by becoming a color commentator when he retired and most notably, as a television and movie actor. With a well-earned reputation for toughness and the kind of haircut you could set your watch to – he was a natural pitchman for products like Lite Beer, Echo Tools, and Prestone antifreeze. He was the prototypical ‘man’s man’, and Fifth Avenue advertisers took advantage of that image.
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The Chicago Bears released a statement from chairman George McCaskey, acknowledging Dick Butkus’ passing and praising all of his achievements.
“Dick was the ultimate Bear and one of the greatest players in NFL history,” the declaration stated. “He was Chicago’s son. He exuded what our great city is about and, not coincidentally, what George Halas looked for in a player: toughness, smarts, instincts, passion, and leadership. He refused to accept anything less than the best from himself, or from his teammates. When we dedicated the George Halas statue at our team headquarters, we asked Dick to speak at the ceremony, because we knew he spoke for Papa Bear.
“Dick had a gruff manner, and maybe that kept some people from approaching him, but he actually had a soft touch. His legacy of philanthropy included a mission of ridding performance-enhancing drugs from sports and promoting heart health. His contributions to the game he loved will live forever and we are grateful he was able to be at our home opener this year to be celebrated one last time by his many fans. We extend our condolences to Helen, Dick’s high school sweetheart and wife of 60 years, and their family.”
Dick Butkus was elected to the pro football Hall of Fame in 1979. His number 51 has been retired by the Chicago Bears
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