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Dick Butkus (1942–2023), Hall of Fame Chicago Bears linebacker

by Eric San Juan

Dick Butkus was a Hall of Fame linebacker for the Chicago Bears and an eight-time Pro Bowl player before becoming an actor, broadcaster, and philanthropist. 

Dick Butkus’ legacy 

Butkus was born, educated, and spent his entire professional football career in Chicago. The child of immigrant parents and the youngest of eight, Butkus grew up on the city’s South Side and was a big fan of local sports teams. He played football at Chicago Vocational High School and was the first junior ever named high school player of the year by the Chicago Sun-Times. While attending the University of Illinois, he led the team to a Rose Bowl victory in 1964 and won team MVP in the process –his first of two in a row. He was also Lineman of the Year and named Player of the Year by both the American Football Coaches Association and Sporting News. 

Butkus was drafted by the Bears in 1965 and got off to a strong start, finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting. He quickly became one of the most feared players in the game, known for his ferocious defense abilities and powerful tackles. By the time he retired in 1973, he was twice named Defensive Player of the Year, was an eight-time Pro Bowl player, and was widely regarded as one of the best defensive players ever to take the field. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame just six years after retirement. He is also in the College Football Hall of Fame and Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame, among others. 

After retiring from football, Butkus became a broadcaster and actor, appearing in commercials, television shows, and movies. On the big screen, he had roles in “The Longest Yard,” “Gremlins 2: The New Batch,” and “Any Given Sunday.” On television, he had regular roles on such shows as “Blue Thunder” and “MacGyver,” and appeared on popular programs like “Murder, She Wrote.” He also formed the Butkus Foundation, through which he supported the Dick Butkus Center for Cardiovascular Wellness, the anti-steroids I Play Clean Campaign, and others. 

Notable quote 

“This city, you know, people work hard at whatever the jobs they have. That seemed to carry over to playing football. For me, at least.”—from a 2022 interview on WGN9, Chicago 

Tributes to Dick Butkus 

Full obituary: CNN 

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