Whitman: Butkus statue will greet everybody that comes through football performance doors. Will be done in 2019.
Whitman: Lundeen sat down with Butkus during HOF ceremony about the statue.
Whitman: The reason for statue is simple. We want to perfect Illinois identity and represent who we are.
Whitman: This is another great opportunity for us to solidfy that Illinois identity. Nobody embodies it better than Butkus: toughness, competitiveness, loyalty.
Whitman: We talked to Dick about this a year ago when we started HOF.
Whitman: Dick was very deferential and humble. More concerned about celebrating his teammates than himself.
Whitman: I've had a lot of highlights on this job. None have been as enjoyable as building a relationship with Dick Butkus.
Whitman: No design yet. Working with Dick and George Lundeen to get something everyone likes and enjoys.
Whitman: Want Butkus' "reckless abandon" on the field to show in statue.
Whitman: This is a great opportunity for us to celebrate a big part of our tradition. Grateful to Dick for allowing this. He'll be a part of this process.
Whitman: Never say never to other statues. "I don't have an active statue list or a top-4 list in my desk."
Whitman: Didn't have to break Butkus' arm for statue but we had to bend it a little bit.
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