Dick Butkus, Bears legend and Hall of Fame linebacker, cause of death at 80 revealed

Dick Butkus, a Chicago Bears legend who is considered one of the best defensive avid gamers in league historical past, died remaining month at the age of 80. According to the Los Angeles Department of Public Health, the Hall of Fame linebacker died in consequence of a “cerebrovascular accident,” which is usually referred to as a stroke.

In addition, secondary reasons had been indexed on his death certificates, which was once issued by way of the Los Angeles Department of Health, together with atrial traumatic inflammation (an abnormal heartbeat), prime ldl cholesterol, and atherosclerosis (thick/hardened arteries). The death certificates additionally mentioned that Butkus underwent coronary bypass surgical treatment again in 2001.

Butkus had attended the Bears’ common season-opener in opposition to the Green Bay Packers. Never one to mince phrases, Butkus had poked a laugh at the Lions simply two days prior by way of social media after Detroit’s season-opening win over the Kansas City Chiefs. 

The phrase legend is steadily used loosely in sports activities, however no longer in Butkus’ scenario. A bigger-than-life determine at the soccer box, Butkus struck concern into opposing offenses all through his nine-year taking part in profession. He won with regards to each and every accolade a participant may just earn. 

A primary-ballot Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, Butkus was once an eight-time Pro Bowler, five-time All-Pro, and a member of two All-Decade groups. In 2019, Butkus was once named to the NFL’s one hundredth Anniversary All-Time Team. Butkus’ No. 51 has additionally been retired by way of the Bears. 

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell issued a commentary at the passing of Butkus:

Dick Butkus was once a fierce and passionate competitor who helped outline the linebacker place as one of the NFL’s all-time greats. Dick’s instinct, toughness and athleticism made him the fashion linebacker whose title will eternally be connected to the location and the Chicago Bears.

We additionally be mindful Dick as a long-time suggest for former avid gamers, and avid gamers at all ranges of the sport. The Dick Butkus Award and his basis commemorated fulfillment at the box and carrier to the neighborhood amongst highschool, faculty and NFL linebackers. Dick was once a champion of blank sports activities as his “I Play Clean” marketing campaign helped carry consciousness in regards to the risks of steroid use amongst highschool athletes.

We ship our inner most condolences to the Butkus circle of relatives, the Bears group and the numerous lovers and other people he impacted all through his existence.

In retirement, Butkus loved luck in broadcasting, appearing and as a star endorser. 

Bears chairman George H. McCaskey issued a commentary previous to Chicago’s sport in opposition to the Commanders on Thursday night time:

A quote as soon as stated by way of former Packers operating again MacArthur Lane absolute best sums up how offensive avid gamers from that generation felt about going up in opposition to Butkus. 

“If I had a choice, I’d sooner go one-on-one with a grizzly bear,” Lane stated, via the Bears’ website. “I pray that I can get up after every time Butkus hits me.”

While his ferociousness at the box was once the stuff of legend, Butkus by no means idea his intense taste was once the rest particular. It was once merely how the sport must be performed in his view. 

“I thought that was the way that everybody should have played,” he stated in a 2019 interview. “But I guess they didn’t because they were claiming that I had a special way of playing. You try to intimidate the person that you’re playing against and hit him hard enough so that sooner or later he’s going to start worrying about getting hit and forget about holding the ball. If it stood out, I guess no one else was doing it as much.”

You can not speak about Butkus with out bringing up his 1965 draft classmate, Hall of Fame operating again Gale Sayers, who gave up the ghost in 2020 at age 77. In truth, Butkus once said that his favourite sport through which he ever performed was once Sayers’ record-setting day on a mud-soaked Wrigley Field in opposition to the 49ers right through their rookie season. 

“It’s the day that Gale Sayers scored six touchdowns and did it all different kind of ways,” Butkus stated. “I was on all the kicking teams except the kickoff team at that point, but you know, we busted him on a punt return. I don’t know if he had a kickoff return or not. But he had six.”