Reports are that he has gone. Age 80. Enjoyed his movie roles too. RIP.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/spor...02f717eb286a4b&ei=31

Sad news today. RIP sir.

One of the truly great “old school” football players; RIP in peace sir!

quote:

Originally posted by Sig Marine:
One of the truly great “old school” football players; RIP in peace sir!

Completely agree. As with WWII vets disappearing from the scene, iconic football legends Like Butkus are also becoming a thing of the past.

But I'd bet you'd want him watching your 3 yr. old.
And it aint football footage w/o the horns.

Aw. RIP.

I really enjoyed when he beat Jerry Lewis’ ass every time Jerry lit a cigarette in “Cracking Up”.

https://bleacherreport.com/art...ayers-in-nfl-history

Chicago Bears linebacker Dick Butkus comes in as our overall No. 1 selection for the biggest, baddest and meanest hard-hitter in NFL history. I believe the Sports Illustrated magazine cover that called Butkus "The Most Feared Man in the Game" was an accurate description of the man.

Butkus helped to create the persona of the Bears defense being tough and unwielding. If you think about "Monsters of the Midway," you think about Butkus.

Butkus played middle linebacker for the Chicago Bears from 1965-1973. He was named to the Pro Bowl for the first eight years of his career. He was voted first-team All-Pro six times and was second-team All-Pro two other times. He was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1969 and 1970. He was elected to the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team. Butkus was also elected to the the NFL All-Decade team for both the 1960s and the 1970s.

Butkus racked up 1,020 tackles, 22 interceptions and 27 fumble recoveries during his career. We don't know how many concussions or broken bones his crushing hits resulted in, but we suspect there were quite a few.

Sports Illustrated did a poll of NFL coaches. If you had to start a team from scratch who would you pick first. The answer most said...............Butkus

I used to watch football with my dad back in my youth. He was a Butkus fan so I was a Butkus fan. I knew one day the heroes of my youth would pass one by one. Doesn't take the sting out of it though.

One of my favorite comments about Butkus came about during the Bountygate scandal with the New Orleans Saints when coaches were paying players for injuring the opposing team. Can't remember which old timer NFL Network was talking to, but when asked if there was a bounty system in his day, his response was, "No, because Butkus would have killed us all!" Even after 40 years, he still horrified his opponents.

RIP.

I’m pretty sure Dick truly scared more players than anyone else. Watching his bone crushing tackles is just amazing.
Rest in peace Dick

It would make for some fun Youtube video, to have a modern day NFL ref watch the highlight films like the one above, and apply 2023 rules to them.
Completely different game.

RIP Mr. Butkus!

I'm a die hard Steelers fan. Been one since 1974. But, as a young kid on the 60's, my first football jersey was of #51!

Dick Butkus was a true middle linebacker!!!