Helen Essenhart is an American woman who is best known as the wife of Dick Butkus, the legendary American football player, actor and sports commentator. Dick Butkus was one of the greatest linebackers in the history of the National Football League (NFL), playing for the Chicago Bears from 1965 to 1973. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979 and had his jersey number 51 retired by the Bears. He also appeared in several movies and TV shows, such as The Longest Yard, Necessary Roughness, and My Two Dads.
Early Life and Education
Helen Essenhart was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1942. She met Dick Butkus in high school and they began dating soon after. The couple got married on July 6, 1963, while they were studying at the University of Illinois. Helen graduated with a degree in education and became a teacher.
| Name | Helen Essenhart |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 1942 |
| Place of Birth | Chicago, Illinois |
| Age | 81 |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Education | University of Illinois |
| Occupation | Teacher (former) |
| Spouse | Dick Butkus (m. 1963 – d. 2023) |
| Children | Matt Butkus, Nikki Butkus, Richard M. Butkus Jr. |
| Net Worth | $500,000 USD |
Family and Children
Helen and Dick have three children: two sons named Ricky and Matt and a daughter named Nikki. Ricky followed his father’s footsteps and became a football player, playing for the University of Southern California and later for the Chicago Bears. Matt is a film producer and director who has worked on projects such as The Last Dance, The Carter Effect and Kobe Bryant’s Muse. Nikki is a singer-songwriter who has released several albums and singles under the name Nikki Lund.
Helen Essenhart: Career and Net Worth
Helen Essenhart has mostly stayed away from the limelight and focused on her family and her husband’s charitable work. She has supported Dick’s efforts to raise awareness and funds for various causes, such as research on anabolic steroids, heart disease and juvenile diabetes. She has also been involved in the Butkus Foundation, which awards scholarships to high school athletes and honors outstanding performers in football.
Helen Essenhart’s net worth is estimated to be around $500,000 USD as of 2023. She shares her wealth with her husband, who has a net worth of $10 million USD.
Personal Life and Trivia
- Helen Essenhart is 81 years old as of 2023.
- She lives with her husband in Malibu, California.
- She is a fan of the Chicago Cubs baseball team.
- She enjoys reading, gardening and traveling.
- She has four grandchildren: Zachary, Sydney, Jake and Luke.
- Helen and Dick had a long-lasting marriage of 60 years until his death.
- Helen was a devoted wife and mother who raised their three children while Dick played for the Chicago Bears for nine seasons from 1965 to 1973.
- Helen was also involved in her husband’s philanthropic activities through the Butkus Foundation, which supports various causes such as health awareness, education and sports programs for youth.
- Helen was by Dick’s side when he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979 and when his jersey number 51 was retired by the Chicago Bears in 1994.
- Helen was also present at the home opener of the Chicago Bears in 2023, where Dick was celebrated by his many fans for his achievements and legacy.
- Helen is survived by her three children and their spouses, as well as nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Who was Dick Butkus?
Dick Butkus was an American football legend who played as a linebacker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL) from 1965 to 1973. He was widely regarded as one of the greatest and most intimidating linebackers in the history of the game. He was also a sports commentator and an actor who appeared in several movies and TV shows. He died at the age of 80 on October 5, 2023, at his home in Malibu, California.
Early Life and Education
He was the youngest of eight children of Lithuanian immigrants John and Emma Butkus. He grew up in the Roseland neighborhood of Chicago and attended Chicago Vocational High School. He excelled in both football and basketball and was named an All-City selection in both sports.
He received a scholarship to play football at the University of Illinois, where he was a two-time consensus All-American and a three-time All-Big Ten selection. He played as a center and a linebacker for the Fighting Illini and led them to a Rose Bowl victory in 1963. He was also named the Big Ten Most Valuable Player and the United Press International Lineman of the Year in 1963. He graduated from Illinois with a degree in physical education in 1965.
Professional Career
Dick Butkus was drafted by the Chicago Bears as the third overall pick in the 1965 NFL Draft. He was also selected by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 1965 AFL Draft, but he chose to sign with his hometown team. He made an immediate impact as a rookie, leading the league in interceptions with five and earning his first of eight consecutive Pro Bowl selections. He was also named the NFL Rookie of the Year by The Sporting News.
Butkus quickly established himself as one of the most dominant and feared players in the NFL. He was known for his fierce tackling, his relentless pursuit of ball carriers, and his ability to force turnovers. He was also a vocal leader and a respected teammate who inspired his fellow players with his passion and intensity. He was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year by The Associated Press in 1969 and 1970 and by Pro Football Writers Association in 1970. He was also a six-time first-team All-Pro and a three-time second-team All-Pro.
Butkus played for nine seasons with the Bears, appearing in 119 games and recording 1,020 tackles, 22 interceptions, 27 fumble recoveries (a record when he retired), [a] one defensive touchdown, and one safety. He also kicked extra points and returned kickoffs occasionally. He is widely considered as one of the greatest linebackers of all time and one of the best players in Bears history.
Butkus’s career was cut short by a series of knee injuries that hampered his performance and mobility. He underwent several surgeries on both knees and eventually retired after the 1973 season at the age of 31. He later sued the Bears and their team physician for negligence and malpractice, claiming that they had mistreated his injuries and forced him to play while hurt. The lawsuit was settled out of court in 1976.
After retiring from football, Dick Butkus pursued a career in broadcasting and acting. He worked as a color commentator for CBS Sports from 1976 to 1981 and for NBC Sports from 1982 to 1987. He also hosted several radio shows and podcasts on sports topics.
He also appeared in several movies and TV shows, mostly playing himself or roles related to football. Some of his notable credits include Brian’s Song (1971), The Longest Yard (1974), Gus (1976), Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990), Necessary Roughness (1991), Any Given Sunday (1999), etc.
Death
Dick Butkus died on October 5, 2023, at his home in Malibu, California. He was 80 years old. His family confirmed that he died peacefully in his sleep overnight. The cause of his death was not disclosed, but he had suffered from various health issues in his later years, including heart problems, diabetes, and dementia.
His death was mourned by many fans, friends, former teammates, and fellow players who paid tribute to his legacy and achievements. The Chicago Bears released a statement saying that Butkus was “the ultimate Bear” and “one of the greatest players in NFL history.” The Pro Football Hall of Fame also issued a statement expressing its condolences and honoring Butkus as “a true icon of the game.”
Summary
Helen Essenhart is the wife of Dick Butkus, a legendary NFL linebacker and Pro Football Hall of Famer who died on October 5, 2023 at the age of 80. She was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1942 and met Dick in high school. They got married in 1963 while they were studying at the University of Illinois. Helen preferred to stay away from the limelight and supported her husband’s charitable work through the Butkus Foundation. Together, they had three children named Matt, Nikki and Richard Jr.
