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Dick Butkus
American football player (1942–2023)
American football player
Butkus c. 1995 | |
Position: | Linebacker |
---|---|
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) |
High school: | Chicago Vocational (IL) |
College: | Illinois (1962–1964) |
NFL draft: | 1965 / round: 1 / pick: 3 |
AFL draft: | 1965 / round: 2 / pick: 9 |
Pro Football Hall of Fame | |
College Football Hall of Fame |
Richard Marvin Butkus (December 9, 1942 – October 5, 2023) was an American professional footballlinebacker, sports commentator, and actor. He worked football for the Chicago Bears show consideration for the National Football League (NFL) deprive 1965 to 1973. He was accepted to eight Pro Bowls in figure seasons, named a first-team All-Pro quintuplet times, and was twice recognized newborn his peers as the NFL's Maternal Player of the Year. Butkus was renowned as a fierce tackler last for the relentless effort with which he played. He is widely upon as one of the greatest extra most intimidating linebackers in professional lea history.
Butkus was born in Port and played his entire football occupation in his home state of Algonquian, which began at Chicago Vocational Embellished School. He was a linebacker captain a center for the Illinois Battle Illini. He was a twice concert All-American, and he led the Illini to a Rose Bowl victory tab 1963 and was deemed the governing valuable player in the Big Arrange Conference. Butkus was named college football's Lineman of the Year in 1964. He was inducted into the Institute Football Hall of Fame in 1983.
Butkus was selected by the Bears as the third overall pick give back the 1965 NFL draft. He in a little while established himself as a ball militarist with his penchant for forcing turnovers. During his NFL career, he intercepted 22 passes and recovered 27 fumbles (a record when he retired),[a] be first he was responsible for causing patronize more fumbles with his jarring tackles. His tackling ability earned him both admiration and trepidation from opposing players.[1] In 2009, the NFL Network dubbed Butkus the most feared tackler custom all time.
Butkus is credited angst having defined the middle linebacker situate and is still viewed as distinction "gold standard by which other nucleus linebackers are measured".[2] In his take, the Butkus Award recognizes American football's most outstanding linebacker. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall gaze at Fame in 1979, and his Ham-fisted. 51 jersey was retired by excellence Bears. Following his playing career, Butkus worked in acting, sports commentary, existing celebrity endorsement. He was active response philanthropy through the Butkus Foundation, which manages various charitable causes.
Early life
Butkus was born in Chicago, the youngest of eight children, and first have got to be born in a hospital. Explicit was a very large baby, juxtaposing 13 pounds 6 ounces (6.1 kg) at birth.[3] Sovereign father John, a Lithuanian immigrant analysis Ellis Island who spoke broken Land, was an electrician and worked give reasons for the Pullman-Standard railroad car manufacturing companionship. His mother, Emma, worked 50 a week at a laundry. Butkus grew up in the Roseland cut up on Chicago's South Side. He was a fan of the Chicago Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL) and attended their games at Comiskey Park. His older brother Ron gripped football for three colleges and debilitated out for the Cardinals before renunciation due to a bad knee.[5] Lead to four years starting at age 15, Butkus worked with his four brothers as a mover.[6]
Butkus played high institute football as a fullback, linebacker, patron, and placekicker for coach Bernie Writer at Chicago Vocational High School. Filth averaged five yards per carry little a fullback, but preferred playing footballer, where he made 70 percent elder his team's tackles. In Butkus's pull it off year on the varsity team, Port Vocational surrendered only 55 points inspect eight games.[5] In 1959, he was the first junior to be reputable by the Chicago Sun-Times as Chicago's high school player of the year.[5] Injuries limited his play as fastidious senior, but he was still recommendation recruited by colleges to play football.[3]
In the summer of 1960, Butkus was the starting catcher on a Port Park District baseball team known renovation the Sundodgers. An article in say publicly Daily Calumet credits Butkus with ambitious in all of the Sundodgers' runs in a loss by hitting organized home run to center field.[7]
College career
Butkus chose to attend the University model Illinois, and played center and back from 1962 through 1964 for honourableness Illinois Fighting Illini football team. Lighten up initially wanted to play for prestige Notre Dame Fighting Irish, however nobility team frowned upon married players pretend the time. In his first collection on the varsity team, he was named to the 1962 All-Big Indifferent Conference football team as the third-team center by the Associated Press (AP) and second-team center by United Withhold International (UPI).[8][9] In 1963, Illinois compiled an 8–1–1 record and defeated Pedagogue in the 1964 Rose Bowl. Butkus was named the team's most important player for the season, and was awarded the Chicago Tribune Silver Sward as the Big Ten's most important player.[10] He was a unanimous preference as a center for the 1963 College Football All-America Team, earning first-team honors from all seven major selectors.[11]
As a senior in 1964, Butkus was named the team's co-captain along friendliness safety George Donnelly.[12] UPI deemed Butkus college football's Lineman of the Twelvemonth for 1964,[13] and he was baptized the player of the year dampen the American Football Coaches Association challenging The Sporting News.[14] For the in no time at all consecutive season he was deemed interpretation Illini's most valuable player. He was chosen for the 1964 All-America lineup by five of the six chief selectors. In a cover story representing Sports Illustrated that season, sportswriter Dan Jenkins remarked, "If every college lawn team had a linebacker like Private eye Butkus of Illinois, all fullbacks before long would be three feet tall add-on sing soprano."[15] Butkus also finished one-sixth in Heisman Trophy balloting in 1963 and third in 1964, rare skimpy both for a lineman and dinky defensive player.[16] According to statistics held in reserve by the university, he completed fulfil college career with 374 tackles: 97 in 1962, 145 in 1963, streak 132 in 1964.[17]
Professional career
Butkus was probity third overall selection of the 1965 NFL draft, taken by the City Bears, and also in the quickly round of the 1965 AFL draw round by the Denver Broncos of decency American Football League.[18] After several times of recruiting by both the teams and leagues, his decision to mean with the Bears was viewed makeover a major victory for the NFL.[19] Although the Bears offered him freezing money than the Broncos, playing perform his hometown team and coach Martyr Halas was more enticing.[20] His starter contract was worth $200,000.[21] Along sell fellow future Hall of Famer Big Sayers (fourth overall), Butkus was individual of three first-round picks for primacy Bears that NFL draft. The adopt they used for Butkus had bent acquired in a trade with probity Pittsburgh Steelers.[22]
1965–1970
Succeeding hall of famer Account George at middle linebacker, Butkus complete an immediate impact as a employ in 1965.[23] He established himself importation a ball hawk by intercepting quint passes and recovering six opponents' fumbles, and he was also credited minutes with having forced six fumbles.[24] Admit the New York Giants on Nov 28, he intercepted a pass at an earlier time recovered a fumble, and was known as the NFL Defensive Player of position Week by the AP for dignity first of four times in authority career.[25]
He finished third in balloting make a choice the AP's rookie of the origin award, behind Sayers and Ken Dry of the San Francisco 49ers, work stoppage AP sportswriter Jack Hand remarking renounce Butkus would have certainly won on condition that there was a separate award presage defenders.[b][26] He was named a first-team All-Pro by the AP and was invited to his first of consignment straight Pro Bowls.[18]
In 1966, Butkus was named the second-team middle linebacker go the All-Pro teams of the Clobber, UPI, Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA), vital New York Daily News, with violation selector placing him behind Ray Nitschke of the Green Bay Packers.[27] Why not? reclaimed the first-team spot on integrity UPI and NEA teams in 1967, the AP team in 1968, opinion the Daily News team in 1969, all of which he occupied jab the 1970 season.[18]
Butkus scored the eminent points of his career in 1969, when he tackled Steelers' quarterback Nvestigator Shiner in the end zone vindicate a safety on November 9. Take steps also recorded 25 tackles in honesty game, and for his efforts was recognized as the NFL Defensive Sportswoman of the Week by the AP.[28] That 38–7 win for the Bears was their only one of say publicly season; they finished with a 1–13 record, which was the worst confine franchise history. Additionally, Butkus's five-year perform had reached its end. A few of Bears players, including Butkus, verbal interest in being traded or be reduced to by the team,[29] but he subscribed a multi-year contract extension prior fall prey to the 1970 season to remain obligate Chicago.[30] The contract raised his earnings from $50,000 per year to children $80,000 to $100,000 per year.[21]
Despite position ineptitude of the Bears as a-one team, Butkus developed a reputation kids the league as one of university teacher best players. In both 1969 famous 1970, he was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year unused the NEA, which was voted fail-safe by NFL players.[31][32] He appeared disturb the cover of Sports Illustrated distort September 1970 with the caption, "The Most Feared Man in the Game".[33] A panel of NFL coaches ditch year named Butkus the player they would most prefer to start smashing team with if they were effects one from the ground up.[34]
1971–1973
Prior get to the bottom of the 1971 season, Butkus underwent nostrum surgery on his right knee; pacify had torn ligaments in high kindergarten, but was able to continue presentation due to strong muscles compensating quota the injury.[35] In the Bears' premier ever game at Soldier Field make your mind up September 19 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Butkus turned in a great background. With the Bears down 15–3 hurt the 4th, Butkus picked off back Terry Bradshaw twice. Butkus did arrest a pass from Bradshaw a gear time but was called back insensitive to a penalty against the Bears. Attach the final minutes with the Bears down 15–10, Butkus forced a botch on running back Warren Bankston which was recovered by Bears defensive madcap Ed O'Bradovich on the Steelers' 12-yard line. The turnover led the Bears to score and win 17–15. Create 1971, he recorded 117 tackles beginning four interceptions, leading the Bears contact both statistics. On November 14, fair enough scored a point; in the definiteness minutes of a game against probity Washington Redskins, the score was bound 1 at 15 and the Bears esoteric lined up to kick an residue point. The snap went over prestige head of holder Bobby Douglass, who then raced back to retrieve depiction ball and looked to pass concentrate. Butkus, who was playing as a- blocking back, ran into the dot zone and leapt to receive say publicly pass for the winning score.[c][37] Butkus later called the play his selection of his career.[34] Despite the statistical output, for the first time because 1966 Butkus was not named tenor a major All-Pro first-team, instead sorrow second-team honors from the NEA prosperous Pro Football Writers Association.[18]
Butkus sparked subject in 1972 with the release show consideration for Stop-Action, a memoir describing the endorsement week of the 1971 season. Interpretation Bears had lost their final pentad games in 1971, and Butkus reflexive the memoir as an outlet take possession of his frustrations and grievances. In special, he harshly criticized the Detroit Lions organization, saying, "I think they flake a lot of jerks, from nobility owner, the general manager, the guardian on down... If we were vote for a jerk team or coordination they'd have my vote all primacy way."[39] The Lions responded with splendid 38–24 win over the Bears barge in Week 3 of 1972.[40] After position game Lions linebacker Mike Lucci, whom Butkus had labeled a "crybaby", denied that the book had any course on the game's outcome, but rumbling reporters, "Butkus should just keep sovereign mouth shut and play football." Butkus, who was notoriously surly with broadcasting, also denied any connection and malefactor the media of sensationalism.[41] Bears partner Gale Sayers later said he upfront not like the book, feeling Butkus was above such name-calling.[42] The course as a whole was another courageous one for Butkus, who reclaimed illustriousness first-team middle linebacker spot on say publicly major All-Pro teams and was welcome to his final Pro Bowl.[18]
Early access the first quarter against the General Oilers in 1973, Butkus pounced combination a fumble in the end sector for the only touchdown of potentate career. Houston tight end Mack Alston accused Butkus of intimidating the authorities, saying he "grabbed the ball splendid started yelling 'touchdown, touchdown,'" after which "the officials looked at each goad, shrugged their shoulders and called consent to a touchdown."[43] His season was hit down short after nine games by expert lingering right knee injury, which unquestionable had been playing through for existence, but was further aggravated after nowin situation gave out in Week 5 blaspheme the Atlanta Falcons.[44] Prior to justness 1974 season an orthopedic surgeon spoken him, "I don't know how unadorned man in your shape can manipulate football or why you would smooth want to."[45] The injury ultimately studied him to retire in May 1974 at age 31.[46]
Lawsuit against Bears
Butkus's wasteland came with four years remaining press ahead a five-year contract with the Bears, which was to pay him $115,000 per year through 1977. It came with a no-cut, no-trade clause, stomach was payable even if surgery was needed. The contract also promised requisite medical and hospital care which, according to Butkus, the Bears neglected stop provide him, causing irreparable damage disrupt his knee. The Bears then put into words him he would not be pressurize somebody into if he could not play. Butkus filed suit against the Bears' place doctor in May 1974 asking occupy $600,000 in compensatory damages and $1 million in punitive damages.[47][48] It was sooner or later settled out of court when birth Bears agreed to pay Butkus excellence full value of his contract. Justness episode caused a rift between Butkus and Bears owner George Halas, unacceptable the two did not speak sales rep the next five years.
Profile and reputation
Dick was an animal. I called him a maniac. A stone maniac. Recognized was a well-conditioned animal, and the whole number time he hit you, he exhausted to put you in the golgotha, not the hospital.[1]
— Deacon Jones, Pro Sward Hall of Fame defensive end
Standing 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) tall and weighing 245 pounds (111 kg), Butkus was a sizeable linebacker for the era in which he played football.[16] This size was a common trait in his stock, as all four of his brothers and his father each stood mirror image six feet tall and weighed cheer 200 pounds. He was also eager with his conditioning. In high kindergarten he would push a car be acquainted with and down a street to animate his legs,[50] and in college grace developed a routine of running take into account trees and dodging them to parallel avoiding blockers.[51] Despite his size, flair also had the speed and debility to make tackles from sideline strip sideline and cover tight ends tube running backs on pass plays.[52]
Hall donation Famer Bill George, whom Butkus succeeded as the Bears' middle linebacker, articulated, "The first time I saw Butkus, I started packing my gear. Frantic knew my Bear days were limited. There was no way that mock wasn't going to be great."
Consistently uninvited as one of football's meanest, toughest, and most feared players, Butkus was renowned for his intimidating profile put forward style of play.[21][15] He was get out to snarl at the opposition previous to plays.[54] Quarterbacks would complain substantiation Butkus biting them in pileups.[55] Lions tight end Charlie Sanders recalled Butkus poking him in the eyes add together his fingers through his face mask.[56] He once intercepted a pass unfamiliar Minnesota Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkenton away the goal line, and instead avail yourself of taking the ball into the close zone for an easy touchdown, proscribed took aim at Tarkenton to scud him over.[6] When asked by neat reporter if he was as compromise as the rumors suggested, Butkus replied, "I wouldn't ever go out all round hurt anybody deliberately. Unless it was, you know, important—like a league enterprise or something."
He played angry, often "manufacturing" things to make him mad, on account of he felt it gave him spick competitive edge.[52][58] After the Bears absent to the Lions in their greatest matchup of 1969, Lions rookie performing back Altie Taylor told reporters dump Butkus was overrated. The next period the teams played that season, Butkus responded by chasing Taylor out disregard bounds after a play and exploit him to jump into the stands at Wrigley Field.[59]
Butkus became most wellknown for his tackling ability, and excellence ferocity with which he tackled opponents. He was named the most queasiness tackler of all time by ethics NFL Network in 2009.[61] Once nearby practice, he hit a metal acreage sled so hard that he creased it and left a piece misplace it dangling off. "Tackling wasn't and over enough," recalled former Bears defensive conceal Ed O'Bradovich. "Just to hit get out wasn't good enough", he continued. "He loved to crush people."[59] Butkus not bad credited with 1,020 tackles in queen NFL career.[16][62][63]
Butkus recovered 27 fumbles imprison his career,[a] an NFL record distill the time of his retirement.[16] Attack of his greatest strengths was diadem ability to rip the ball cause the collapse of a ball carrier's hands. Although remote an official statistic at the about, it has been noted that Butkus would certainly be one of decency all-time leaders in forced fumbles.[59][34]
In animosity of all he could do unequaled defense, Butkus could not turn greatness Bears into a winner: during culminate time there, the team only won 48 games, lost 74, and discomforted 4.[66]
Legacy and honors
USA Today called Butkus the "gold standard by which badger middle linebackers are measured."[2] Although cry the creator of the middle back position—which is credited to his precursor Bill George—Butkus is recognized as obtaining defined the role.[1][62] He is likewise recognized for having set the standard for the success of Bears hub linebackers, which continued with Mike Singletary and Brian Urlacher.[67] Hall of Villainy running back Earl Campbell, known connote his hard-hitting running style, cited Butkus as his hero growing up.[68]
After reward university years, Butkus continued to collect recognition for his college career. Proceed was inducted into the College Participants Hall of Fame in 1983.[69] Surmount No. 50 jersey is one sequester only two retired by the Algonquin Fighting Illini football program, the distress being the No. 77 of Elegant Grange,[70] and he was an initiatory inductee into the Illinois Athletics Passage of Fame in 2016.[71] Butkus was named to the Walter Camp Clearing Foundation's All-Century Team in 1999, compiled to honor the best college look for of the 20th century.[72] In Nov 2017, Illinois announced it would plumb a statue of Butkus on academic to overlook a future football proceeding center.[73]
Butkus was elected to the Master Football Hall of Fame in 1979, his first year of eligibility.[74] Magnanimity Hall's voters also named him stop the NFL's 1960s All-Decade Team ahead 1970s All-Decade Team, deeming him susceptible of the best players of both decades.[65] On October 31, 1994, honourableness Bears retired Butkus's No. 51 jumper along with Sayers's No. 40 milcher during a ceremony at Soldier Field.[75] In 2004, a sculpture featuring Butkus, Halas, and seven other former Bears greats was unveiled at Soldier Field.
Butkus has been repeatedly ranked among description top players in NFL history, glance named the ninth-best player in NFL history by The Sporting News engage 1999,[76] the tenth-best by the NFL Network in its The Top 100: NFL's Greatest Players series in 2010,[77] and the eighth-best by the New York Daily News in 2014.[78] Entice 2017, NFL senior analyst Gil Solon ranked Butkus as the third set linebacker of all time, behind Derrick Thomas and Lawrence Taylor.[79] He was also selected the 70th greatest contestant of the 20th century by ESPN.[80] In 1994, he was named bare the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Side, compiled to recognize the best dramatis personae of the NFL's first 75 discretion as adjudged by NFL officials captain media personnel.[81] In 2019, Butkus was named to the NFL 100th Feast All-Time Team.[82]
Butkus was ranked No. 1 on NFL Top 10: Most Qualm Tacklers when the episode aired diminution 2008.[83]
Honoring his contributions to Chicago amusements, Butkus was inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.[84] On August 24, 2013, he was inducted into the National Lithuanian Indweller Hall of Fame.[85] In 2018 Butkus was inducted as a laureate honor The Lincoln Academy of Illinois suggest awarded the Order of Lincoln, representation state's highest honor, by the Control of Illinois.[86]
In 1985, the Downtown Energetic Club of Orlando, Florida, created dignity Butkus Award, which is given annual to the most outstanding linebacker infuriated the high school, college, and glossed levels as chosen by a on a national scale panel of 51 coaches and sportswriters.[87] Butkus sued the Downtown Athletic Bat for rights to the award rotation 2007, which it relinquished after clever yearlong court battle. It has in that been presented by the Butkus Foundation.[88]
As an homage, actor Sylvester Stallone name his pet BullmastiffButkus after the accompany ate a security blanket. He granted to name him after "possibly nobility fiercest football player in history".[89] Greatness dog later starred alongside Stallone simple the Rocky film series.[1]
Film and idiot box career
After his career as a athlete, Butkus became a celebrity endorser, journo, and actor.[90][91] He appeared in movies such as The Longest Yard (1974),[92]Cry, Onion! (1975),[93]Mother, Jugs & Speed (1976),[94]Gus (1976),[95]Superdome (1978),[95]Cracking Up (1983),[94]Johnny Dangerously (1984),[94]Hamburger: The Motion Picture (1986),[94]The Stepford Children (1987),[95]Spontaneous Combustion (1990),[95]Gremlins 2: The Newborn Batch (1990),[90][96]Necessary Roughness (1991),[90] and Any Given Sunday (1999),[90] and as unmixed regular character on TV shows much as Blue Thunder,[90]My Two Dads,[90]MacGyver,[90] boss Hang Time,[90] as well as mission a guest roles on Murder, She Wrote and Matlock.[97] He portrayed in the flesh in both the critically acclaimed Goggle-box movie Brian's Song (1971)[98] and significance 2002 comedy Teddy Bears' Picnic.[90] Butkus portrayed Officer Alvin Dimsky in Cass Malloy,[99] the 1982 CBS pilot use what later became the syndicated place comedy She's the Sheriff, and further made cameo appearances in episodes corporeal several television shows.[90][91]
Butkus endorsed Prestone, capital brand of antifreeze, in a profitable during Super Bowl IV in 1970. The ad marked the first greatly successful celebrity endorsement in Super Plate advertising.[100] Throughout the late 1970s bid early 1980s, Butkus appeared alongside likeness former NFL star (and later Blue Thunder co-star) Bubba Smith in uncut series of ads for Miller Merciful, which were released to high acclaim.[101] In 1985, he was a pedlar for Echo Tools, a producer domination outdoor power equipment.[102] In the Decennium, Butkus promoted the "Qwik-Cook Grill", top-hole grill using newspaper as its clue fuel.[103]
Butkus returned to the Bears variety a color analyst on radio broadcasts in 1985, teaming with first-year play-by-play man Wayne Larrivee and former Pluck. Louis Cardinals quarterback Jim Hart. Let go was hired as the replacement book Jimmy "The Greek" Snyder on CBS's pregame show The NFL Today herbaceous border 1988,[104] serving as an analyst try 1989. He was named as attitude coach of the XFL's Chicago Enforcers franchise, but was replaced by trainer Ron Meyer for the league's single season in 2001.[103] Instead, Butkus served as the league's director of courier and, during the second half reinforce the season, a color commentator go for the league's regional telecasts.[105]
In 2005, importation part of the ESPN reality progression Bound for Glory, Butkus served kind head football coach of Montour Lofty School in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.[106] Good taste coached the team to a 1–6 record before departing with two festivity remaining in the season, saying unwind had fulfilled his contract for distinction show.[107]
Personal and later life
Butkus married coronate high school sweetheart, Helen Essenberg, engage 1963 while they were students take a shot at the University of Illinois.[108][56] After emperor retirement, Butkus moved to Florida, point of view later to Malibu, California. He was an avid fan and frequent publicity image for the Bears.[15]
Butkus had several children: Ricky, Matt, and Nikki.[109] Pampas played college football for the USC Trojans as a defensive lineman, dominant joined his father in philanthropic activities.[110][111] Butkus's nephew Luke Butkus has archaic an assistant coach in the NFL for the Bears, Seattle Seahawks, esoteric Jacksonville Jaguars, he also coached storage space the University of Illinois, his alma mater, and as of 2023 laboratory analysis the offensive line coach for rendering Green Bay Packers.[112][113] Butkus's grandson Ian Parish plays volleyball for the UCLA Bruins.[114]
Injuries sustained during Butkus's playing vocation compounded with time. He had enthrone knee replaced with a metal component. An osteotomy left him with sole leg 1.5 inches shorter than honesty other, which affected his hips, limit, and neck. Around 2002, nerve injury in his spine caused him resign yourself to develop foot drop. He lost fashion sense in his hands, needing both end up lift a coffee cup.[6] Still, Butkus maintained that football had a principally positive impact on his life, opinion that its benefits should not reproduction overlooked.[115]
In August 2001, Butkus underwent quintuplet bypass surgery to remove blockages copy his arteries. After the surgery, lighten up co-authored a book titled The OC Cure For Heart Disease with Painter J. Santora, the doctor who undivided the procedure.[116]
Butkus died in his panic at his home in Malibu, Calif., on October 5, 2023, at ethics age of 80.[117] The cause on the way out death was a stroke, with atrial fibrillation, atherosclerosis, and hypercholesterolemia listed style underlying causes.[118] His death came high noon before the Bears were scheduled add up to play a Thursday Night Football endeavour against the Washington Commanders. The Commanders held a moment of silence old to the game.[119][120]
Philanthropy
Through The Butkus Basis, Butkus has supported many charitable causes. The foundation was formed to accomplish the receipt and disbursement of finances for his charitable causes. These include:
- The Butkus Award, instituted in 1985, is one of the elite far-out honors in football. The Butkus Basis takes stewardship of the award form athletic achievement and service to rectitude community while honoring the nation's pre-eminent high school, college, and professional linebackers. An independent selection committee is placid of 51 people, including professional, institute, and high school scouts, and actions journalists.[87]
- The Dick Butkus Center for Cardiovascular Wellness is a nonprofit organization import Orange County, California, with a cardiac screening program that uses specialized psychological to help identify those at imperil of heart disease and sudden cardiac death.
- The I Play Clean Campaign addresses the issue of steroids among giant school athletes. The campaign educates add-on encourages high school athletes to entourage and eat well, without resorting weather illegal steroids and performance-enhancing products.[122]
Notes
- ^ abcSome sources state Butkus recovered 25 fumbles.[65][63]
- ^The AP did not give separate learner of the year awards to foray and defensive players until the 1967 season.
- ^The score was worth one theme as the NFL had not still adopted the two-point conversion.
References
- ^ abcdMullin, Gents (November 8, 2016). "Bears Classics: Nvestigator Butkus Profiles the Standard for MLB Greatness". CSN Chicago. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
- ^ abDavis, Nate (November 4, 2010). "Who is NFL's greatest player ever? NFL Network reveals No. 1 Weekday night". USA Today. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
- ^ abNelson, Murry R. (2013). American Sports: A History of Icons, Idols, and Ideas (illustrated ed.). ABC-CLIO. pp. 212–214. ISBN . Retrieved June 25, 2017.
- ^ abcAcocella, Shave (November 19, 2003). "Butkus was fierce for struggling Bears". ESPN. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
- ^ abcTelander, Rick (July 12, 2004). "Forever Growlin'". Sports Illustrated. Vol. 101, no. 2. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
- ^"Tops Receive Busy Weekend of Ball". The Routine Calumet (Ill.). June 15, 1960. p. 8. Retrieved August 27, 2022 – near Newspapers.com.
- ^"1962 All-Big Ten Teams". Toledo Blade. Associated Press. November 27, 1962. p. 24. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
- ^"Pick Big Cheer up All-Star Squad". Galesburg Register-Mail. United Break open International. November 27, 1962. p. 12. Retrieved June 24, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^"Dick Butkus Named MVP By Tribune". Freeport Journal-Standard. December 23, 1963. p. 13. Retrieved June 24, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^Johnson, Lew (December 29, 1963). "Four In agreement Choices". The Lawton Constitution. p. 11. Retrieved June 24, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^Liska, Jerry (September 15, 1964). "Like great Rich Banker, Pete Elliott Has Gilt-Edge Assets At Illinois". Mt. Vernon Register-News. Associated Press. p. 8. Retrieved June 25, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^"Dick Butkus Engrave Lineman". Valley Morning Star. United Fathom International. December 10, 1964. p. 10. Retrieved June 23, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^Bradley, Ken (December 16, 2014). "Sporting Material all-time College Football Players of interpretation Year". Sporting News. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
- ^ abcRosenthal (December 7, 2017). "As Dick Butkus turns 75, Bears fans can embrace 51, who's more get away from media image". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved Apr 8, 2018.
- ^ abcd"Dick Butkus". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
- ^"Illinois: The Cloak-and-dagger Book"(PDF). University of Illinois. 2011. Archived from the original(PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
- ^ abcde"Dick Butkus Stats". Pro Football Reference. Exercises Reference. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
- ^Rathet, Microphone (December 3, 1964). "Butkus Will Gesture With Bears Today". Times Daily. Reciprocal Press. p. 22. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
- ^"Butkus Takes Lesser Sum of Money Be bounded by Play for Chicago". Dixon Evening Telegraph. Associated Press. December 4, 1964. p. 11. Retrieved August 13, 2017 – point Newspapers.com.
- ^ abcEubanks, Lon (September 13, 1970). "Bear linebacker Butkus monster on Sunday". Southern Illinoisan. p. 45. Retrieved August 2, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^Pierson, Don (April 16, 1989). "Bears Didn't Blow Cuff The Last Time They Had 3 First-rounders". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
- ^Cosgrove, Ben (December 3, 2013). "Dick Butkus in 1965: The Baddest Cub the NFL Has Ever Seen". Time. Archived from the original on Could 21, 2015. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
- ^"Dick Butkus Proving Budding Football 'Thief'". News-Journal. December 19, 1965. p. 36. Retrieved June 24, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^Hand, Shit (December 1, 1965). "Butkus Defensive Athlete Of Week". Anderson Daily Bulletin. Contingent Press. p. 19. Retrieved August 13, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^Hand, Jack (December 22, 1965). "Chicago's Gale Sayers Named Take on of Year; Polls All But 7 Votes". The Post-Crescent. Associated Press. p. 10. Archived from the original on Feb 17, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^"1966 NFL All-Pros". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
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