Hall of Famer Dick Butkus, widely regarded as the greatest middle linebacker in NFL history, has passed away at the age of 80. Butkus died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Malibu, California, as confirmed by his family on Thursday. He had an illustrious nine-season career with the Chicago Bears, starting in 1965, and earned eight Pro Bowl selections, according to USA Today. Sports Illustrated once featured him on their cover, showcasing his iconic Butkus sneer under his helmet, with the headline, “The Most Feared Man in the Game.” Offensive players often found themselves intimidated by his presence and reputation, causing them to hesitate during plays, as reported by ESPN.
When asked if he ever intended to hurt anyone on purpose, Butkus humorously replied, “Unless it was, you know, important … like a league game or something.” Butkus wasn’t just known for his ferocity, he also possessed remarkable speed and agility, revolutionizing the standards for his position, as highlighted by the AP. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell described him as “a fierce and passionate competitor who helped define the linebacker position as one of the NFL’s all-time greats” in a statement. Goodell also recognized Butkus’ advocacy for former players and all levels of the game.
In his rookie season, Butkus accomplished impressive numbers, including five interceptions, six fumble recoveries, and an unofficial six forced fumbles. However, his disruptive nature extended beyond his ability to create turnovers. Butkus had a knack for hitting runners in a high and forceful manner, completely overpowering them. Playboy magazine once referred to him as “the meanest, angriest, toughest, dirtiest” player in the NFL, labeling him an “animal, a savage, subhuman.” These descriptions didn’t sit well with Butkus, but they were difficult to argue against. Some opponents even claimed he would poke them in the face or bite them during pileups. Butkus admitted that he would purposely manufacture situations to make himself angry during warmups.
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When the Detroit Lions debuted an I-formation against the Bears, Butkus single-handedly incapacitated every member of the formation—the center, quarterback, fullback, and halfback—taking them out of the game. And sometimes, he didn’t stop there. On multiple occasions, Butkus would relentlessly chase ball carriers well beyond the sidelines, even pursuing them onto running tracks and into the stands. His tough-guy image served him well after retiring from football, as he went on to have successful careers as a sports broadcaster, actor, and product spokesperson. Through the Butkus Foundation, he assisted in establishing a program at a hospital in Southern California to encourage early screenings for heart disease. He also promoted campaigns to inspire high school athletes to train, eat well, and avoid performance-enhancing drugs.
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