Dick Butkus passes away at the age of 80

[fan of Ray Williams]

RIP

 

[howeda7]

RIP. My dad went to college with him.

 

[KGF]

I am saddened by this news. He attended the Bears-Packers opening game earlier this season, so I assume this was unexpected.

He was my all-time favorite football player. A bad dude on the football field. No player in NFL history represents toughness the way Dick Butkus did.

RIP #51.

 

[Ope3]

In pop culture, I thought it was cool that Stallone had his own namesake dog "Butkus" also be Rocky Balboa's pet in the original film.

"Yo, Butkus!" Great line.

#51 was also part of the iconic Miller Lite campaign. Usually he was with the equally incredible and fearsome fellow Big 10 alum, Bubba Smith.

 

[Emil]

The last man on earth you wanted to see line up across from you in a football game.

 

[BleedGopher]

Gopher great Mike Hohensee chimes in:


Go Gophers!!

 

[GopherVotary]

The middle linebacker against whom all others are measured. Too bad the Bears were never good enough to get him in the postseason.

 

[KGF]

 

[Spaulding!No!]

The middle linebacker against whom all others are measured. Too bad the Bears were never good enough to get him in the postseason.

Like Joe Mauer and the Twins! 1 playoff win

 

[Ope3]

Like Joe Mauer and the Twins! 1 playoff win

More like Ernie Banks.

 

[GopherVotary]

More like Ernie Banks.

Better analogy. Mauer got to the playoffs four seasons but never won a game. Banks never reached the postseason.

 

[Ope3]

Better analogy. Mauer got to the playoffs four seasons but never won a game. Banks never reached the postseason.

I know it's not considered by MLB as a Postseason Playoff, but the Detroit/Game 163 sure felt like it for all practical purposes. Joe at least has that.

 

[BTChamp]

In pop culture, I thought it was cool that Stallone had his own namesake dog "Butkus" also be Rocky Balboa's pet in the original film.

"Yo, Butkus!" Great line.

#51 was also part of the iconic Miller Lite campaign. Usually he was with the equally incredible and fearsome fellow Big 10 alum, Bubba Smith.

For the life of me, I cannot fathom that those commercials were that long ago. They were my favorites growing up. So many big names in them.

 

[Ope3]

Fellow Bear LB and Canton Honoree, Brian Urlacher, on The Dan Patrick Show yesterday, "The world is definitely a softer place without Dick Butkus in it."