Illinois legend Dick Butkus dies at 80: Former linebacker’s name is synonymous with excellence at his position

The soccer group misplaced an icon Thursday when Dick Butkus died at the age of 80. Butkus used to be easiest recognized for his Hall of Fame profession as a linebacker for the NFL’s Chicago Bears from 1965-73, however his legacy is now not restricted to skilled soccer. Butkus’ mythical profession at Illinois earned him a spot within the College Football Hall of Fame. His name is so synonymous with excellence that the award offered to school soccer’s easiest linebacker yearly bears his name. 

“I am saddened to learn of the passing of Dick Butkus, the greatest linebacker in football history,” Illinois trainer Bret Bielema mentioned in a press liberate. “As the head coach of his alma mater that he loved, I had the great honor to meet Dick, one of my childhood idols, last September. He was an amazing person, as well as football player, and a loyal Illini. Dick embodied everything that Illinois football has represented in the past and what we look to represent into the future. His deep love for Illinois football will be honored and remembered forever.”

A Chicago local, Butkus attended Illinois within the early-to-mid Nineteen Sixties, taking part in middle and center linebacker for the Fighting Illini from 1962-64. His have an effect on for the Illinois program used to be instant. Butkus used to be an All-Big Ten variety his first 12 months. While the workforce completed 2-7 that fall, way more luck for each Butkus and this system as complete used to be at the horizon. 

“Dick Butkus was a giant in a land of giants,” Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman mentioned in a liberate. “In a game built on toughness and tenacity, he stood alone. One of the most imposing figures to ever wear a helmet, away from the field, Dick was self-effacing, humble, and generous. A cultural icon, Dick leaves a legacy on Americana that will never be forgotten.”

The 1963 season noticed Illinois collect an 8-1-1 general report, shooting the Big Ten championship and finishing the season with a Rose Bowl victory in opposition to Washington for a No. 3 end within the AP scores. Butkus used to be the famous person of the display for the Illini protection that season, profitable Big Ten Player of the Year honors and Unanimous All-American honors. In 1964 Butkus completed 3rd in Heisman vote casting and used to be named a Consensus All American as Illinois completed 6-3  and ranked No. 16.

“Our University is better, our game is better, and our country is better, all because we were graced by the presence of one Dick Butkus,” Whitman mentioned.

For his Illinois profession, Butkus totaled 347 tackles. His 145 tackles in 1963 stood as a college report till 1976. Butkus additionally toppled the century-mark in 1964, registering 132 general tackles sooner than he went No. 3 general within the 1965 NFL Draft to the Chicago Bears. Butkus’ No. 50 used to be retired by way of the college in 1986 sooner than he used to be named to the Walter Camp Foundation All-Century workforce in 1989. Additionally, Butkus is a member of the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame.

By occurring to play solely for Chicago within the NFL, Butkus used to be in a position to spend his whole soccer taking part in profession inside of his local Illinois. In his eight-year NFL tenure, Butkus totaled 1,020 tackles, 22 interceptions, and 25 fumble recoveries. He used to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979.