Dick Butkus

Dick Butkus
refer to caption
Butkus c. 1995
No. 51
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born:(1942-12-09)December 9, 1942
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Died:October 5, 2023(2023-10-05) (aged 80)
Malibu, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:245 lb (111 kg)
Career information
High school:Vocational (Chicago, Illinois)
College:Illinois
NFL Draft:1965 / Round: 1 / Pick: 3
AFL draft:1965 / Round: 2 / Pick: 9
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:119
Interceptions:22
Fumble recoveries:27
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Richard Marvin "Dick" Butkus (December 9, 1942 – October 5, 2023) was an American former football player.[1] He was commonly considered as the greatest linebacker of his time.[2] He was raised in Roseland, Chicago, Illinois.

In college, Butkus played for the University of Illinois.[3] He played professional football in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears. He became a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979.[4]

Butkus died in his sleep at his home in Malibu, California, on October 5, 2023, at the age of 80.[5] The cause of death was a stroke caused by atrial fibrillation, atherosclerosis, and hypercholesterolemia.[6]

References

  1. ↑ "Dick Butkus Biography". Bio/A&E Television Networks, LLC. Archived from the original on 17 March 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
  2. ↑ "Top Ten Most Feared Tacklers: Dick Butkus". NFL.com. 2009-07-01. Retrieved 2014-03-24.
  3. ↑ Larry Schwartz. "Butkus was one mean Bear". ESPN. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
  4. ↑ "Middle Linebacker Dick Butkus". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
  5. ↑ Mitchell, Fred (October 5, 2023). "Dick Butkus, legendary Chicago Bears linebacker and Hall of Famer, dies at 80". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  6. ↑ DeArdo, Bryan (November 8, 2023). "Dick Butkus, Bears legend and Hall of Fame linebacker, cause of death at 80 revealed". CBS Sports. Retrieved November 15, 2023.