Legendary Chicago Bears Linebacker Dick Butkus Dies at 80
NFL Hall of Famer and Chicago Bears legend Dick Butkus died this week at his home in Malibu, California, his family announced Thursday. He was 80.
The hulking linebacker struck fear into offenses across the league for his entire nine-year career—all of it in Chicago—and he remains one of the most imposing presences in football history.
Starting in 1965, his professional career with the Bears saw him earn countless accolades: eight Pro Bowls, two Defensive Player of the Year honors and six All-NFL selections. Over nine seasons, Butkus—who weighed 245 pounds and stood at 6-foot-three—made a whopping 1,020 tackles and 22 interceptions.