Dick Butkus Biography

Richard Marvin Butkus was an American professional football player, sports commentator, and actor born on December 9, 1942, and passed away on October 5, 2023. He played as a linebacker for the Chicago Bears in the National Football League from 1965 to 1973. Butkus was born in Chicago and played his entire football career in Illinois, beginning at Chicago Vocational High School. He earned the title of college football's Lineman of the Year in 1964 during his collegiate career. Selected by the Bears as the third overall pick in the 1965 NFL draft, he began his professional career that same year. In 2009, the NFL Network recognized him as the most feared tackler of all time. The Butkus Award was established in his honor to recognize the most outstanding linebacker in American football.