Have not heard or seen anything official as of yet but TMZ is reporting that Dick Butkus has passed away at the age of 80.
Dick Butkus has passed away at the age of 80
The Galloping Ghost
- Washington, DC
An icon. A legend. One of the best to ever do it. Just an absolute real one in every possible way. So glad we got the statue up before he passed. Forever an Illini.
Mr. Tibbs
- southeast DuPage
picked U of I over offers from EVERY OTHER PROGRAM out there.
He could have gone anywhere
I want to say one , but not the only one, of the reasons was U of I would allow players to get married and ND did not.
not sure if he got married in school or not
Ironically his number was retired at halftime of a Nebraska blowout. Sure would be nice to get a bit of payback tomorrow.
IlliniKat91
- Chicago, IL
RIP to an absolute legend. One of the best to ever do it and was never afraid to tell it like it is.
Best LB ever, absolute legend. I really hope DIA adds #50 patches on the jersey for the rest of the season
Paramedics were called for a medical emergency at Butkus' home after a friend went to check on Butkus and found him unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
If you need a chuckle, watch this video through to the end:
If you need a chuckle, watch this video through to the end:
Mr. Tibbs
- southeast DuPage
He lived less than 1/2 mile from my childhood home in Roseland, I was born in 1961 so he and I didnt hang out
but my dad had stories of watching Dick push an old car , loaded up with his buddies, up and down the streets as a summer workout in the early 1960's
Dick went to CVS, my Dad did too, but my Dad was 10 years older, but EVERYONE in the city and neighborhood, knew of Dick from the papers
but my dad had stories of watching Dick push an old car , loaded up with his buddies, up and down the streets as a summer workout in the early 1960's
Dick went to CVS, my Dad did too, but my Dad was 10 years older, but EVERYONE in the city and neighborhood, knew of Dick from the papers
RIP Mr Butkus. I regret that I was too young to see you play, but thank you for your commitment to the Illini and the Bears. I hope we whip Nebraska tomorrow night in your honor.
Hoping that they honor this legend tomorrow night either before the game or at halftime with a moment of silence. I would like to see a timeout right before kickoff so that we can hold up his jersey.
Godspeed sir....
Hoping that they honor this legend tomorrow night either before the game or at halftime with a moment of silence. I would like to see a timeout right before kickoff so that we can hold up his jersey.
Godspeed sir....
Passed by him in the hallway outside the skyboxes at Soldier Field once (Illinois game). Legend.
I am rarely star struck by celebrity but that feeling was great.
My aunt, uncle and cousins moved from the Chicago suburbs to DeLand, Florida in the late '70s. Dick lived in DeLand at the time. They were huge Bears fans. One day they walked into a McDonald's and there was #51. Not wanting to seem like star-struck asses, they did their best to stay cool and not rush him. It all came crashing down when they got to the counter and my aunt said, "I'll have 5 Big Dicks please." True story corroborated by my uncle and 3 cousins.
And today that's 15 yards for taunting. I need a time machine.
i came to Champaign in the fall of 1965 and was rewarded with watching all the Bears' games that year. Back then they didn't televise the home games in the originating city (Chicago) but they did in Champaign. What a year! Both Butkus and Gale Sayers were rookies and were the defensive and offensive rookies of the year, making all-pro and were the best players at their positions. I lived for Sunday afternoons, especially to see number 51 strike fear into the hearts of running backs, who would tip-toe through the hole with their head on a swivel looking for the Illini Missile.
What a memory! A lot of glory went to Sayers who was spectacular, one of the best ever, but Chicago's own, Illini's own Butkus was my favorite player of all time.
I still love seeing his highlights! RIP number 51. You are and were the GREATEST!
What a memory! A lot of glory went to Sayers who was spectacular, one of the best ever, but Chicago's own, Illini's own Butkus was my favorite player of all time.
I still love seeing his highlights! RIP number 51. You are and were the GREATEST!
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Flippin' legend. The absolute best. Deserved all the accolades and superlatives. And a great guy too. Loyal to the O&B forever. RIP, Dick.
Man, I vividly remember walking home from elementary school from 69-71 and most of the time me and my buds were performing "Dick Butkus gang tackles" on each other.
Man, I vividly remember walking home from elementary school from 69-71 and most of the time me and my buds were performing "Dick Butkus gang tackles" on each other.
I'm dying.
I didn't hate his second career in Hollywood, either:
