Dick ﷺButkus, one of the leg🦩endary players in Chicago Bears and NFL history, has reportedly passed away at age 80.
…
“NFL legend — one of the greatest linebackers of all time — has died, TMZ Sports has learned. He was 80 years old.
We’re told someone went to check on Butkus at his home on Thursday … and he was found unresponsive.
Our sources tell us … paramedics responded to a call for a patient in cardiac arrest at Butkus’ residence in Malibu at 12:51 PM. He was pronounced dead at the scene.”
… And has since confirmed. As has the Butkus family, :
“The Butkus family confirms that football and entertainment legend Dick Butkus died peacefully in his sleep overnight at home in Malibu, California.
The Butkus family is gathering with Dick’s wife Helen. They appreciate your prayers and support.
Additional information will be provided when it is available.”
Dick Butkus, Chicago Bears Legend
Butkus is an all-time great, a game-changer at the position, a fan favorite, and a local icon. I could write a thousand words and still not fairly capture the impact he had on the Bears and NFL. Before starring for the Bears from 1965 to 1973, Butkus played his prep ball at Chicago Vocational High School and collegiately at Illinois. After racking up All-American honors at Illinois, the Bears made Butkus the third overall pick in the 1965 NFL Draft. Butkus would reward the Bears with 119 games of some of the best football you’ll ever see.
This is the ꩲrésumé of one of the best there is, was, and ever will be at the linebacker position:
Beyond football, Butkus had an extensive film and television career, had stints as a broadcaster, and had many philanthropic causes he supported. If you’re a Chicago-born Bears fan like me, you probably wrote a book report or two about the Chicago legend. I could write all day about his list of achievements, of which there were many. Butkus was an amazing player and an all-time great personality. He’ll be missed by family, friends, and fans alike.
