Edith Piaf
French singer (1915-1963)
Dick Butkus was an American football legend who played linebacker for the Chicago Bears from 1965 to 1973. Renowned for his fierce tackles and relentless effort, he was considered one of the greatest and most intimidating linebackers in NFL history. Butkus was a dominant player, earning eight Pro Bowl selections, five first-team All-Pro honors, and two Defensive Player of the Year awards.
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About the Dick Butkus
Richard Marvin Butkuswas an American professional football linebacker, sports commentator, and actor. He played football for the Chicago Bears of the National Football Leaguefrom 1965 to 1973. He was invited to eight Pro Bowls in nine seasons, named a first-team All-Pro five times, and was twice recognized by his peers as the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year. Butkus was renowned as a fierce tackler and for the relentless effort with which he played. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most intimidating linebackers in professional football history.
Butkus was born in Chicago and played his entire football career in his home state of Illinois, which began at Chicago Vocational High School. He was a linebacker and a center for the Illinois Fighting Illini. He was a twice consensus All-American, and he led the Illini to a Rose Bowl victory in 1963 and was deemed the most valuable player in the Big Ten Conference. Butkus was named college football’s Lineman of the Year in 1964. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983.
Butkus was selected by the Bears as the third overall pick in the 1965 NFL draft. He soon established himself as a ball hawk with his penchant for forcing turnovers. During his NFL career, he intercepted 22 passes and recovered 27 fumbles (a record when he retired), and he was responsible for causing many more fumbles with his jarring tackles. His tackling ability earned him both admiration and trepidation from opposing players. In 2009, the NFL Network named Butkus the most feared tackler of all time.
Butkus is credited with having defined the middle linebacker position and is still viewed as the “gold standard by which other middle linebackers are measured”. In his honor, the Butkus Award recognizes American football’s most outstanding linebacker. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979, and his No. 51 jersey was retired by the Bears. Following his playing career, Butkus worked in acting, sports commentary, and celebrity endorsement. He was active in philanthropy through the Butkus Foundation, which manages various charitable causes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dick Butkus was an American professional football linebacker who played for the Chicago Bears in the NFL from 1965 to 1973. He was known for his fierce tackling and relentless play, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most intimidating linebackers in professional football history.
Dick Butkus was invited to eight Pro Bowls in nine seasons, named a first-team All-Pro five times, and was twice recognized as the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year. He is also credited with having defined the middle linebacker position and is still viewed as the ,gold standard, for the position.
Before joining the NFL, Dick Butkus played football at the college level for the University of Illinois. He was a twice consensus All-American, led the Illini to a Rose Bowl victory in 1963, and was named college football’s Lineman of the Year in 1964.
Dick Butkus is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most intimidating linebackers in professional football history. He is credited with having defined the middle linebacker position, and the Butkus Award is given to the most outstanding linebacker in American football in his honor.
After his playing career ended, Dick Butkus worked in acting, sports commentary, and celebrity endorsement. He was also active in philanthropy through the Butkus Foundation, which manages various charitable causes.
Dick Butkus was renowned for his fierce tackling and relentless effort on the field. His jarring tackles earned him both admiration and trepidation from opposing players, and he was named the most feared tackler of all time by the NFL Network in 2009.
Dick Butkus wore the number 51 jersey, which was retired by the Chicago Bears in his honor. This is a testament to the impact he had on the team and the sport of football as a whole.
9 Quotes by Dick Butkus
- 1.
We’re a big check mark on everybody’s schedule. I told them it’s just another challenge, let’s go after it.
Dick ButkusAmerican football player
- 2.
When I played pro football, I never set out to hurt anyone deliberately – unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something.
Dick ButkusAmerican football player
- 3.
If we’re not on them, they go back to their old ways.
Dick ButkusAmerican football player
- 4.
I wouldn’t ever set out to hurt anyone deliberately unless it was, you know, important – like a league game or something.
Dick ButkusAmerican football player
- 5.
I’m not so mean. I wouldn’t ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately – unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something.
Dick ButkusAmerican football player
- 6.
My thing is trying to convince them they can win.
Dick ButkusAmerican football player
- 7.
Anything that happens that’s good, they think, Oh, it’s an accident, when is the roof caving in? You’ve got to get them out of that mental framework.
Dick ButkusAmerican football player
- 8.
The bottom line is that these athletes tend to be safer investments because they really value their marketing opportunities. They don’t make as much money as during their active careers.
Dick ButkusAmerican football player
- 9.
The real reason for coming to Montour is my love and respect for football.
Dick ButkusAmerican football player