Dick Butkus, one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history, dies at 80

Anjdog2003 · 10-05-2023, 5:56pm

NFL Network ranked the most feared tacklers in league history in 2009. No. 1 on the list was Dick Butkus. There could have been no other choice for the top spot.

Butkus’ name has become synonymous with the violent side of football: fear and intimidation. Butkus was also synonymous with greatness at middle linebacker, and in many ways the NFL itself.

Butkus, the longtime Chicago Bears star, died at age 80. Butkus' death was confirmed in a statement from his family, via the Chicago Bears. TMZ reported that paramedics responded to a medical emergency call at Butkus' home in Malibu, California on Thursday afternoon and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Butkus was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979. It was an easy pick, because it’s hard to imagine writing the history of the game without Butkus.

Dick Butkus was a star at every level

Butkus started to become a household name at the University of Illinois. Playing center and linebacker, he led the Illini to a 17-7 win over Washington in the 1964 Rose Bowl. That is Illinois’ last Rose Bowl win. The Dick Butkus Award is now given to the top linebacker in college football each year.

Butkus was a high draft pick of the AFL’s Denver Broncos (ninth overall) and the NFL’s Chicago Bears (third overall), but the allure of playing for his hometown Bears was strong. He signed with the Bears, and was a star from the start.

Butkus was a first-team All-Pro as a rookie in 1965, as was teammate Gale Sayers. Butkus and Sayers were the first rookie teammates in NFL history to both be named All-Pro, and that record wasn’t matched until 2018.

Butkus was the epitome of violence in football

Butkus was more than just a fierce hitter. He had five interceptions as a rookie and finished with 22 picks in his career. He was a fantastic all-around player.

But everyone remembers him as a vicious tackler.

By the time Sports Illustrated put Butkus on the cover of the 1970 NFL preview, and touted him as “The Most Feared Man In The Game,” his reputation was set. In a 1971 feature, Playboy described Butkus thusly: “To a fan, the story on Butkus is very simple. He's the meanest, angriest, toughest, dirtiest son of a bitch in football. An animal, a savage, subhuman.”

“Dick was an animal,” Hall-of-Fame defensive end Deacon Jones said, according to NBC Sports Chicago. “I called him a maniac. A stone maniac. He was a well-conditioned animal, and every time he hit you, he tried to put you in the cemetery, not the hospital.”

Butkus would play into that reputation at times. That Playboy story in 1971 said Butkus once told a television reporter, "I sometimes have a dream where I hit a man so hard his head pops off and rolls downfield." And every football fan has seen the well-worn NFL Films clips of Butkus destroying running backs who crossed his path.

In NFL Network’s “A Football Life,” Butkus’ family laughed at the notion of him being mean, saying they never saw that side of him. Butkus would show a softer side during his post-football acting career, even spending two seasons on the sitcom “My Two Dads” in the late 1980s.

But the reputation of Butkus’ ferocity never died. And during his storied career, he earned it. He will always epitomize the physical nature of professional football.

Dick Butkus, shown in 1971, was one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history. (Photo By Barry Staver/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
Dick Butkus, shown in 1971, was one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history. (Photo By Barry Staver/The Denver Post via Getty Images) (Barry Staver via Getty Images)
Butkus’ legend grew over time

In each of Butkus’ first eight seasons, he was named to the Pro Bowl. He was a five-time All-Pro. He was the greatest middle linebacker in the game despite knee injuries that plagued him for much of his career. Finally, after the 1973 season, Butkus retired. Despite his individual greatness, the Bears never made the playoffs during Butkus’ career.

Butkus had a long acting career after football, with 53 credits according to IMDB. He became a popular pitchman for commercials, too.

Despite success off the field and the decades that passed after he played for the Bears, Butkus’ football legend continued to grow. He was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s All-Decade team for the 1960s and 1970s. Butkus was an obvious choice for the NFL’s 75th anniversary all-time team. In 2001, Sports Illustrated’s Paul Zimmerman named Butkus the greatest middle linebacker in NFL history. When NFL Network ranked the 100 greatest players ever in 2010, Butkus was No. 10. He and Jim Brown were the only players in the top 20 who played fewer than 10 NFL seasons.

Decades after his retirement, Butkus was still remembered reverentially by NFL fans. His legend will last forever.

Anjdog2003 · 10-05-2023, 5:56pm

Not one of but the best.

Onebadcad · 10-05-2023, 5:58pm

One of very best after Nick Buoniconti and Zach Thomas.

May he rest in peace, good dood, good soul!!

Taurus · 10-05-2023, 6:01pm

He was great, one of the best by far.

RMVette · 10-05-2023, 6:03pm

Big bob · 10-05-2023, 6:11pm

Oh shit I get mistaken for him all the time. Now I get to hear I thought you were dead. Prayers sent for the little guy.

MadInNc · 10-05-2023, 6:16pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anjdog2003

Not one of but the best.

And he was a real cool guy. Dikta had a restaurant near O'hare which specialized in Pork Chops and every Thursday he would do a live broadcast from the restaurant at 12:00 lunch hr. Right by my sales office. A group of us reserved a table every week and depending who was in town and not on the road we would go to the broadcast

Dick, Fuzzy Thurston, Walter Payton, Mike Singletary and many more we saw F2F and we prime them with leads for stories based on what we knew etc..

Dick was there 2x+ times anf really down to earth and a guy who ya wished was your dad

but when the game face came on - watch out, all about the game

Anjdog2003 · 10-05-2023, 6:25pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Onebadcad

One of very best after Nick Buoniconti and Zach Thomas.

May he rest in peace, good dood, good soul!!

The TOP 10 LB's of all time

10. KEVIN GREENE

Teams: L.A. Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers
Years active: 1985-1999
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 5x Pro Bowl, 2x All-Pro, 1x Defensive Player of the Year

9. JUNIOR SEAU

Teams: San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots
Years active: 1990-2009
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 12x Pro Bowl, 6x All-Pro, 1x Defensive Player of the Year

8. RAY NITSCHKE

Team: Green Bay Packers
Years active: 1958-1972
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 1x Pro Bowl, 2x All-Pro, 5x NFL champion, 2x Super Bowl champion

7. CHUCK BEDNARIK

Team: Philadelphia Eagles
Years active: 1949-1962
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 8x Pro Bowl, 6x All-Pro, 2x NFL champion

6. DERRICK THOMAS

Team: Kansas City Chiefs
Years active: 1989-1999
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 9x Pro Bowl, 2x All-Pro

5. JACK LAMBERT

Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Years active: 1974-1984
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 9x Pro Bowl, 6x All-Pro, 4x Super Bowl champion, 2x Defensive Player of the Year

4. MIKE SINGLETARY

Team: Chicago Bears
Years active: 1981-1992
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 10x Pro Bowl, 7x All-Pro, 2x Defensive Player of the Year, 1x Super Bowl champion

3. RAY LEWIS

Teams: Baltimore Ravens
Years active: 1996-2012
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 13x Pro Bowl, 7x All-Pro, 2x Super Bowl champion, 2x Defensive Player of the Year

2. DICK BUTKUS

Team: Chicago Bears
Years active: 1965-1973
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 8x Pro Bowl, 5x All-Pro, 2x Defensive Player of the Year

1. LAWRENCE TAYLOR

Team: New York Giants
Years active: 1981-1993
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 10x Pro Bowl, 8x All-Pro, 2x Super Bowl champion, 3x Defensive Player of the Year, 1x MVP

Here are LB's that missed the cut

Nick Buoniconti

Zach Thomas

Jobaka · 10-05-2023, 6:30pm

Anjdog2003 · 10-05-2023, 6:38pm

Played with bad knees most of his career. Didn't have the surgeries they have today

snide · 10-05-2023, 7:07pm

Bummer.

Moond0ggie · 10-05-2023, 7:40pm

I have some of his cards from early 70s football card collection,
I looked on ebay to see if the prices have spiked yet.... $8,400.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...261328&_sop=16

LATB · 10-05-2023, 8:06pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jobaka

1984 miller lite commercial. When the world was somewhat normal.

Vandelay Industries · 10-05-2023, 8:09pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by LATB

1984 miller lite commercial. When the world was somewhat normal.

I was just thinking the same thing. Unbelievable how politically correct woke bullcrap has been allowed to suck the enjoyment out of literally everything.

Raazor · 10-05-2023, 8:09pm

He & Efren Herrera were both excellent in their day

Anjdog2003 · 10-05-2023, 8:46pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raazor

Did you know i got a letterman's jacket in High School retrieving baseballs for the baseball team.

super

ColeTrickle · 10-05-2023, 9:08pm

Must have been a tough guy with a name like Dick buttkiss.

LATB · 10-05-2023, 9:12pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vandelay Industries

I was just thinking the same thing. Unbelievable how politically correct woke bullcrap has been allowed to suck the enjoyment out of literally everything.

I agree.
Pre internet was a better world.
Not happy with modern America. At least the cultural and political part. It’s just not a good vibe anymore.

TripleBlack · 10-05-2023, 11:23pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anjdog2003

The TOP 10 LB's of all time

10. KEVIN GREENE

Teams: L.A. Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers
Years active: 1985-1999
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 5x Pro Bowl, 2x All-Pro, 1x Defensive Player of the Year

9. JUNIOR SEAU

Teams: San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots
Years active: 1990-2009
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 12x Pro Bowl, 6x All-Pro, 1x Defensive Player of the Year

8. RAY NITSCHKE

Team: Green Bay Packers
Years active: 1958-1972
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 1x Pro Bowl, 2x All-Pro, 5x NFL champion, 2x Super Bowl champion

7. CHUCK BEDNARIK

Team: Philadelphia Eagles
Years active: 1949-1962
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 8x Pro Bowl, 6x All-Pro, 2x NFL champion

6. DERRICK THOMAS

Team: Kansas City Chiefs
Years active: 1989-1999
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 9x Pro Bowl, 2x All-Pro

5. JACK LAMBERT

Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Years active: 1974-1984
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 9x Pro Bowl, 6x All-Pro, 4x Super Bowl champion, 2x Defensive Player of the Year

4. MIKE SINGLETARY

Team: Chicago Bears
Years active: 1981-1992
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 10x Pro Bowl, 7x All-Pro, 2x Defensive Player of the Year, 1x Super Bowl champion

3. RAY LEWIS

Teams: Baltimore Ravens
Years active: 1996-2012
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 13x Pro Bowl, 7x All-Pro, 2x Super Bowl champion, 2x Defensive Player of the Year

2. DICK BUTKUS

Team: Chicago Bears
Years active: 1965-1973
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 8x Pro Bowl, 5x All-Pro, 2x Defensive Player of the Year

1. LAWRENCE TAYLOR

Team: New York Giants
Years active: 1981-1993
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 10x Pro Bowl, 8x All-Pro, 2x Super Bowl champion, 3x Defensive Player of the Year, 1x MVP

Here are LB's that missed the cut

Nick Buoniconti

Zach Thomas

Willy Lanier belongs in this list.

Onebadcad · 10-06-2023, 9:54am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anjdog2003

The TOP 10 LB's of all time

10. KEVIN GREENE

Teams: L.A. Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers
Years active: 1985-1999
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 5x Pro Bowl, 2x All-Pro, 1x Defensive Player of the Year

9. JUNIOR SEAU

Teams: San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots
Years active: 1990-2009
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 12x Pro Bowl, 6x All-Pro, 1x Defensive Player of the Year

8. RAY NITSCHKE

Team: Green Bay Packers
Years active: 1958-1972
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 1x Pro Bowl, 2x All-Pro, 5x NFL champion, 2x Super Bowl champion

7. CHUCK BEDNARIK

Team: Philadelphia Eagles
Years active: 1949-1962
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 8x Pro Bowl, 6x All-Pro, 2x NFL champion

6. DERRICK THOMAS

Team: Kansas City Chiefs
Years active: 1989-1999
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 9x Pro Bowl, 2x All-Pro

5. JACK LAMBERT

Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Years active: 1974-1984
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 9x Pro Bowl, 6x All-Pro, 4x Super Bowl champion, 2x Defensive Player of the Year

4. MIKE SINGLETARY

Team: Chicago Bears
Years active: 1981-1992
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 10x Pro Bowl, 7x All-Pro, 2x Defensive Player of the Year, 1x Super Bowl champion

3. RAY LEWIS

Teams: Baltimore Ravens
Years active: 1996-2012
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 13x Pro Bowl, 7x All-Pro, 2x Super Bowl champion, 2x Defensive Player of the Year

2. DICK BUTKUS

Team: Chicago Bears
Years active: 1965-1973
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 8x Pro Bowl, 5x All-Pro, 2x Defensive Player of the Year

1. LAWRENCE TAYLOR

Team: New York Giants
Years active: 1981-1993
Accolades: Hall of Fame, 10x Pro Bowl, 8x All-Pro, 2x Super Bowl champion, 3x Defensive Player of the Year, 1x MVP

Here are LB's that missed the cut

Nick Buoniconti

Zach Thomas

Obvious that the writer and / or those polled remain jealous of the Dolphins' consistent greatness.

Kinda of like me hating whoopi for winning all those eating contests.

At least you and I can agree the greatest CFB defensive player of all-time was Ron SACKYOURARSE Simmons, not one even gets mentioned in the same breath.
Simmons is also #2 all-time wrestler, after Dusty Rhodes.

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