The Chicago Bears pay tribute to ‘ultimate Bear’ Dick Butkus, who died at the age of 80.
Butkus, who was born in Chicago, spent his whole football career in the state of Illinois.
The Chicago Bears paid tribute to “the ultimate Bear” Dick Butkus, who died at the age of 80.
Before their triumph over the Washington Commanders on Thursday, the Bears observed a minute of silence.
Butkus was born in Chicago and spent his entire football career in the state of Illinois, where he was the third overall pick in the 1965 NFL Draft. During his nine years with the Bears, he was a five-time first-team All-Pro selection and an eight-time Pro Bowl honoree.
Butkus’ 49 total career takeaways from turnovers rank second in the franchise’s history and he was renowned as one of the fiercest tacklers in the NFL.
Following the 1973 season, he was forced to retire at the age of 31 due to a right knee injury. Butkus was a member of the Hall of Fame’s All-Decade Teams in the 1960s and 1970s. Butkus was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979.
“Dick was the ultimate Bear and one of the greatest players in NFL history,” said Bears chairman George H McCaskey on the team’s website, www.chicagobears.com.
“He was Chicago’s son. He exuded what our great city is about and, not coincidently, what (former head coach) George Halas looked for in a player: toughness, smarts, instincts, passion and leadership.
“He refused to accept anything less than the best from himself, or from his team-mates.
“His contributions to the game he loved will live forever and we are grateful he was able to be at our home opener this year to be celebrated one last time by his many fans.”
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell paid tribute, with a post on X – formerly known as Twitter, reading: “Dick Butkus was a fierce and passionate competitor who helped define the line-backer position as one of the NFL’s all-time greats.
“Dick’s intuition, toughness and athleticism made him the model linebacker whose name will forever be linked to the position and the Chicago Bears.”
Following the Bears’ 40-20 victory on Thursday night, which snapped the franchise’s longest losing skid in history, wide receiver DJ Moore sent Butkus a meaningful letter.
Moore, who finished with 230 yards and three touchdowns, wrote on social media, “R.I.P Dick Butkus.” Was keeping an eye on us tonight.”
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