Dick Butkus, one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history and a Chicago Bears legend, died peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday at his home in Malibu, California. He was 80 years old.
His family confirmed his death in a statement released by the Bears, saying they appreciate the prayers and support from the fans and the football community.
Butkus was a fierce and relentless player who dominated the field with his hard-hitting tackles and knack for forcing turnovers. He played for the Bears from 1965 to 1973, earning eight Pro Bowl selections, six first-team All-Pro honors, and two NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards. Dick was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979 and was named to the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team and the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.
He is widely regarded as one of the best players ever to wear the Bears uniform and one of the most intimidating defenders in the history of the game. His number 51 jersey was retired by the Bears in 1994 and he was ranked as the second-greatest Bear of all time by ESPN in 2019.
Quick Biography
| Name | Richard Marvin Butkus |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | December 9, 1942 |
| Birth Place | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Death Date | October 5, 2023 |
| Death Place | Malibu, California, U.S. |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Weight | 245 lb (111 kg) |
| Position | Linebacker |
| College | Illinois (1962–1964) |
| NFL Draft | 1965 / Round: 1 / Pick: 3 |
| AFL Draft | 1965 / Round: 2 / Pick: 9 |
| NFL Team | Chicago Bears (1965–1973) |
| Awards and Honors | – 2× NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1969, 1970) – 5× First-team All-Pro (1965, 1968–1970, 1972) – 3× Second-team All-Pro (1966, 1967, 1971) – 8× Pro Bowl (1965–1972) – George Halas Award (1974) – NFL 1960s All-Decade Team – NFL 1970s All-Decade Team – NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team – NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team – Chicago Bears No. 51 retired – 100 greatest Bears of All-Time – UPI Lineman of the Year (1964) – Big Ten Most Valuable Player (1963) – Unanimous All-American (1963) – Consensus All-American (1964) – Illinois Fighting Illini No. 50 retired |
| Career Stats | – Interceptions: 22 – Fumble recoveries: 27 |
| Other Occupations | Sports commentator, actor |
Dick Butkus: A Chicago Native and an Illinois Star
Butkus was born on December 9, 1942. He took birth in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He grew up in a working-class neighborhood and attended Chicago Vocational High School, where he excelled as a linebacker and a center. He received a scholarship to play for the University of Illinois, where he continued to play both positions.
He was a standout player for the Fighting Illini, leading them to a Rose Bowl victory in 1964 and winning the Big Ten Most Valuable Player award in 1963. Dick Butkus was also a two-time consensus All-American and was named the college football’s Lineman of the Year by United Press International in 1964. His number 50 jersey was retired by Illinois in 1986 and he was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983.
A Hall of Fame Career with the Bears
Dick Butkus was drafted by the Bears with the third overall pick in the 1965 NFL Draft, fulfilling his childhood dream of playing for his hometown team. He made an immediate impact as a rookie, earning his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections. He quickly established himself as a leader and a force on the Bears defense, known for his aggressive style and fierce competitiveness.
Dick was a master of creating turnovers, intercepting 22 passes and recovering 27 fumbles (a record when he retired) during his career. He also caused many more fumbles with his jarring hits, often stripping the ball from unsuspecting ball carriers or quarterbacks. He was feared and respected by his opponents, who often tried to avoid him or block him with multiple players.
He was also a durable player, missing only seven games in his first eight seasons. However, his career was cut short by knee injuries that hampered his performance and forced him to retire after the 1973 season. He played his entire nine-year career with the Bears, appearing in 119 games and recording 1,020 tackles (unofficially).
Richard was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 1979. He delivered an emotional speech at his induction ceremony, expressing his love for the game and his gratitude for his family, teammates, coaches, and fans.
A Life After Football
After retiring from football, Butkus pursued a career in acting and broadcasting. He appeared in several movies and TV shows, such as Brian’s Song, The Longest Yard, Gremlins 2: The New Batch, My Two Dads, Hang Time, and Blue Mountain State. He also worked as a color commentator for NBC Sports and CBS Sports, covering NFL games and college football games.
Dick Butkus also devoted himself to various charitable causes and initiatives. He founded the Butkus Foundation in 1987 to support programs that promote health and wellness for children and adults. He also created the Butkus Award in 1985 to honor the best linebackers at the high school, college, and professional levels.
He was married to Helen Essenberg in 1963 and had three children: Nikki, Ricky, and Matt. He also had nine grandchildren.
A Tribute from the Football World
Butkus’ death sparked an outpouring of tributes from his former teammates, opponents, coaches, fans, and media members. Many praised him as one of the greatest players of all time and one of the most influential figures in football history.
His former teammate Gale Sayers said that Dick Butkus was “the best defensive player I ever saw” and “a true friend”. His former coach George Halas said that Butkus was “the most remarkable player I ever saw” and “a credit to the game”. His former opponent Jim Brown said that Butkus was “the toughest player I ever faced” and “a man of integrity”.
The Bears organization said that Butkus was “a pillar of our franchise” and “an inspiration to generations of fans”. The NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said that Butkus was “a legend of the game” and “a model of excellence”. The Pro Football Hall of Fame president David Baker said that Butkus was “a Hall of Famer in every sense of the word” and “a cherished member of our football family”.
Butkus’ legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of all who love football. He will be remembered as a fierce competitor, a loyal teammate, a loving husband, a devoted father, a generous philanthropist, and a humble gentleman.
