Richard Marvin Butkus, who is also dubbed as “Dick Butkus” by the NFL community, was a five-time first-team All-Pro, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Widely regarded as one of the fiercest linebackers in the history of the league, Butkus had been a beloved figure among the Bears fanbase.
Unfortunately, this Thursday, the demise of the 80-year-old legendary Chicago Bears linebacker and member of the Hall of Fame left the NFL community distraught.
Bears HOF LB Dick Butkus dies at 80
On October 5th, 2023, Dick Butkus reportedly, “passed away peacefully in his sleep” at his home in Malibu, California.
With his remarkable contribution to the sports world, fans and athletes all across the globe reflect on the impact he has left behind to convey tribute and respect to the legend. Amongst many of notable contributions to the realm of football include the philanthropic groundwork that involves extermination of performance boosting pharmaceuticals. Besides, the Butkus Award, was founded in 1985, continues on his legacy as it is awarded annually to the top linebacker at all levels, pro, collegiate, and high school.
Butkus earned a reputation as one of the NFL’s toughest tacklers, exemplified football in its hardscrabble period with unwavering effort. At 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, he was considered quite large for a middle linebacker at the time and was also known as one of the intimidating linebackers in professional football history.
In the 1965 NFL Draft, Dick Butkus was drafted by the Chicago Bears as the third overall pick. Despite also being drafted by the Denver Broncos in the AFL’s draft that year, Butkus signed with the Bears as he expressed to reporters that he, “always wanted to be a Bear.”
However, during his tenure the Chicago bears unfortunately never reached the playoffs after the legendary George Halas retired in 1967, regardless of his phenomenal excellence on the field. Butkus’ relentless approach to play took a toll on his health, forcing him to retire at age 31 in 1973 due to a right knee injury. Hence, the team was unable to finish with a winning record for the duration of Butkus’ playing career.
In spite of playing in just 37 games from 1971 to 1973, the player earned a spot to the Hall of Fame All-Decade Teams for both the 1960s and 1970s. In addition, Butkus was recognized as a member of the NFL’s 100 All-Time Team, and the Bears retired his number 51 jersey.
There’s a thin possibility of any linebacker in the history of the sport to have the potential to have an impact on football with the same magnitude as Dick Butkus.
NFL and WWE communities pay tribute to HOF LB Dick Butkus’ passing away
Following Butkus’s quietus, the NFL and WWE communities came together to mourn and pay tribute to the legend.
The WWE community has also extended their condolences to the player’s wife and close circle through a tweet. The official WWE social media handle tweeted, “WWE is saddened to learn that legendary NFL linebacker and Hall of Famer Dick Butkus, a special guest referee at WrestleMania 2, has passed away. WWE extends its condolences to Butkus’ family, friends and fans.”
George H. McCaskey, the chairman of the Bears, stated that, Butkus was the ideal Bear and one of the finest players in NFL history. George notes, “He was Chicago’s son. He exuded what our great city is about and, not coincidently, what George Halas looked for in a player: toughness, smarts, instincts, passion and leadership.” The legendary linebacker always persisted on simply anticipating the best from his teammates and himself.
Overall, David Butkus has left his indelible mark on the sports community, who are deeply dispirited, and they pay tribute to him that are displayed below:
We offer our condolences to the legend’s family and pray that his departed soul may rest in peace.
