According to Jacob Lev and Ashley R. Williams of CNN on Thursday, Dick Butkus of Chicago, Illinois, one of the greatest linebackers in National Football League history, passed away at the age of 80. He played nine seasons with his hometown team Chicago Bears from 1965 to 1973.
Butkus played 119 games with the Bears, and was selected to the Pro Bowl in his first eight seasons. He had 27 fumble recoveries for 22 yards, one touchdown from a fumble recovery, one safety, and 22 interceptions for 166 yards. Butkus’s safety came in a 38-7 Bears win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 9, 1969. Butkus’s fumble recovery for a touchdown came in a 35-14 Bears win over the Houston Oilers on October 28, 1973.
Twice Butkus was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year. The first time came in 1969 and the second time in 1970. In 1969, Butkus had two interceptions for 13 yards, two fumble recoveries, two sacks, and the aforementioned safety. In 1970, he had three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and two sacks.
Originally selected as the third overall pick in the 1965 National Football League Draft, Butkus, who played at the University of Illinois, was only chosen behind running backs Tucker Frederickson and Ken Willard. Frederickson of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was selected first by the New York Giants, and Willard of Richmond, Virginia, was selected second by the San Francisco 49ers. Butkus was actually one of two Hall of Famers selected by the Bears in the top four of the 1965 NFL Draft. Running back Gale Sayers of Wichita, Kansas was chosen fourth overall. In 1979, Butkus was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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