(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
On Thursday, it was announced that Pro Football Hall of Famer Dick Butkus, one of the greatest and most beloved Chicago Bears legends, had died at the age of 80.
Butkus was one of the NFL’s greatest linebackers of all time, and he was one of the game’s most feared players ever who would viciously tackle opponents with extra aggression.
League commissioner Roger Goodell issued a statement regarding Butkus’ passing, per Adam Schefter.
Roger Goodell on Dick Butkus: pic.twitter.com/E6bnnhXGzf
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 5, 2023
Butkus was the No. 3 overall pick in the 1965 NFL Draft, and he played his entire nine-year career with the Bears.
Although they never made the playoffs during his time with them, he had the time of his life knocking heads and other body parts around while making the Pro Bowl in each of his first eight seasons and the All-Pro First Team five times.
Butkus was also known for forcing opponents to fumble the ball — he recorded 27 forced fumbles throughout his career, and he even ran one of them back for a touchdown.
After he retired, he filed a lawsuit against the Bears, claiming they didn’t provide him with enough medical care, but once his beef with owner George Halas had been resolved, he became a visible public figure for the franchise and its fans.
When the current iteration of the Bears took to the gridiron on Thursday to play the Washington Commanders in Landover, Md., a moment of silence was observed for Butkus before kickoff.
The Bears paid tribute to Dick Butkus with a moment of silence before their game vs. the Commanders. pic.twitter.com/h3ppgEpOAg
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 6, 2023
Chicago roared off to a 17-3 lead early in the second quarter as much-maligned quarterback Justin Fields threw two touchdown passes to wide receiver DJ Moore.
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