Dick Butkus, the iconic Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker renowned for his bone-crushing tackles during his tenure with the Chicago Bears, and later celebrated for his charismatic television and film career, has passed away at the age of 80, as confirmed by the team on Thursday.
Dick Butkus Cause of Death
Dick Butkus passed away peacefully in his sleep at his residence in Malibu, California, as stated in a family announcement shared by the Bears on social media. The family expressed their gratitude for the support and prayers they have received during this time.
Chicago Bears chairman George H. McCaskey paid tribute to Butkus, describing him as “the ultimate Bear” and one of the NFL’s all-time greats. McCaskey emphasized Butkus’s deep connection to Chicago and the lasting impact of his contributions to the game.
News of Butkus’s passing came just over an hour before the Thursday night game between the Bears and the Washington Commanders. Both teams and fans observed a moment of silence at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland, to honor his memory.
Butkus, known for his ferocious tackling, was drafted from the University of Illinois and played as the Bears’ formidable middle linebacker for nine NFL seasons from the 1960s to the 1970s, earning eight Pro Bowl selections.
He regarded his intensity on the field as the standard for the game, remarking that he believed everyone should play that way. His relentless style of play set him apart, leading to his reputation as a special player, according to an article on the Bears’ website.
Dick Butkus Carrer
Dick Butkus retired at the age of 31 after a knee injury, entering the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979 in his first year of eligibility. He was also honored in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983.
In 1985, the Dick Butkus Award was established to recognize the top linebackers in professional, collegiate, and high school football.
The Bears retired Dick Butkus jersey number 51 in 1994. He was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Teams for both decades in which he played and was included in the NFL’s 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams.
After retiring from football, Butkus transitioned into acting and broadcasting. He appeared in numerous television shows and movies, often alongside former NFL player Bubba Smith. Some of his notable appearances include “MacGyver,” “Hang Time,” “Half Nelson,” “Blue Thunder,” “My Two Dads,” and films such as “Any Given Sunday,” “The Longest Yard,” and “Necessary Roughness.”
Dick Butkus also served as the Bears’ radio announcer for several years and was a panelist on “The NFL Today” pregame show on CBS.
Dick Butkus, born on December 9, 1942, in Chicago’s Fernwood neighborhood, hailed from a blue-collar Lithuanian family of nine children. His passion for football began as early as fifth grade, and he worked tirelessly to realize his dream of becoming a professional football player.
Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner, remembered Butkus as a fierce and passionate competitor, highlighting his intuition, toughness, and athleticism as qualities that forever associated his name with the linebacker position and the Chicago Bears.
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