BUTKUS

When I was growing up and a teenager consumed with sports, and especially football, the name  Dick Butkus was synonymous with toughness and competence.  When you watched a Chicago Bears game you knew you were watching one of the greatest linebackers ever.  His hits on running backs and quarterbacks were legendary.  He played for the Chicago Bears from 1965 to 1974 and was arguably the most dominant linebacker in history.  

When the news came yesterday that he had passed away at 80 years old it brought back a lot of memories.  There is a good article summarizing his career on ESPN and you can read it here.   One thing I didn't know was that he was a Chicago guy his whole life.  He was from Chicago, he excelled in football in high school in Chicago, went to the University of Illinois where he led them to a Rose Bowl victory and was drafted by the Chicago Bears where he played his entire 9 year career.  That's something you don't see in this day and age of going where the money is.  It reminds me of Tony Gwynn.  

His stats were amazing throughout his career.  So much so that he was a first ballot Hall of Fame selection.  He is still so respected that the Chicago Bears paid tribute to him in a Thursday night game after learning of his passing.  

But Dick Butkus wasn't done when he was forced into retirement with a chronic knee injury.  He was an accomplished actor, a football announcer and a spokesman for many great causes.  His was a life well lived.  RIP Dick Butkus.  Well done!