Legendary Dick Butkus ‘epitomized everything great about football' | Pro Football Talk | NFL on NBC

Mike Florio and Peter King discuss the passing of legendary NFL linebacker Dick Butkus, reflecting on his generational impact and how he made opponents fear the Bears. #NBCSports #ProFootballTalk #Bears
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Legendary Dick Butkus ‘epitomized everything great about football' | Pro Football Talk | NFL on NBC
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[@chrishampton8842]

The greatest linebacker to ever play, period end of discussion

[@MarkKrauklis]

True. The greatest. End of discussion!!! R.I.P. Mr. Butkus from a fellow Chicago born Lithuanian!!!🥰🇺🇲🥰🇺🇲🥰🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲

[@thevoxdeus]

If you just hear these stories, you might think that Butkus was a psychopath, but he was a very genial and graceful man outside of the game of football.

[@bonzotalonzo9072]

Many years ago, he said, " always act & live your life as if your mama is standing right next to you ". Words of wisdom I never forgot.... R.I.P. Dick Butkus

[@bidensucsbigdickskalmadrin6877]

love to see buttkiss and pete rose talk ball

[@tomault3063]

tried that last night and my wife was creeped out. I kinda was too.

[@richardaquino1640]

There is a three part series of Dick Butkus and Deacon Jones talking you can get it on KZbin with their doctor. They had the same doctor. It’s definitely worth watching. Everybody should watch that.

[@krash66]

I don't remember the HOFer who made this statement, but he said: Most players back then hit you to try and put you in the hospital. Dick Butkus hit you to try and put you in the cemetery. He was a MONSTER on the field!

[@stevenkloepping2953]

That was Deacon Jones who said that.

[@krash66]

@@stevenkloepping2953 thanks. That was my first thought, but I didn't want to misquote him. 👍

[@chrishampton8842]

In ‘69, the bears had the best defensive player in the game and the best offensive player in the game and the worst team

[@ethansagastume5462]

Yup, that's the most bears thing we could do

[@musicman76enator]

Dick Butkus is the greatest linebacker in Bears history. He is also one of the greatest players in both Bears and NFL history. Today is a very sad day. Rest in Peace, Dick. We will miss you. 🐻 🏈

[@danstegall2624]

A legend has gone home. God Bless Dick Butkus. Rest in peace.

[@wildbill3260]

2 of the most intimidating players in NFL history 1. Dick Butkus 2. Jack Tatum

[@innerspace56]

Add Mean Joe Greene as honorable mention. LT was pretty scary as well, shoot.

[@jameshurt6116]

and Jack Lambert...

[@wildbill3260]

@jameshurt6116 I would put Lambert at one of top as far as toughness, but intimidation, those WR's in 1970's were scared to death of Tatum might take your head off, Butkus was a little before my time, but his legendary status in well recognized

[@garrettrandall2660]

deacon Jones

[@dennissaunders5247]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR MENTIONING JACK TATUM. DICK AND JACK WERE THE HARDEST HITTERS IN NFL HISTORY. R.I.P DICK BUTKUS. GOD BLESS HIM AND HIS FAMILY. A LEGENDARY HALL OF FAME FOOTBALL PLAYER. A LEGENDARY HALL OF FAME PERSON. YOU WILL BE MISSED SIR.

[@drejackson4882]

I am a younger Bears fan and I know he is on the Mt. Rushmore of Bears legends. He was a fellow Chicagoan and was our very best! Rest well legend. Bear Down

[@alexamerling79]

RIP GOAT of linebackers. 🐻 down

[@vmax4575]

Raw talent. Gentle giant off the field but ‘the’ monster of the midway. Terror on the turf. Gained muscle by working moving furniture. Great work ethic. RIP.

[@davidmcconnell8005]

Peter King's story about Dierdorf and Butkus: PRICELESS! MYTHICAL! The game wouldn't be the game without moments like these. It's what makes something IMMORTAL and why we love it so much.

[@davidmcconnell8005]

Rest in Peace, Dick Butkus.

[@rungy8214]

Dick Butkus was my childhood hero even before I ever knew what football was. He was huge...his shadow could cover all of the state of Texas.

[@budwickman446]

Growing up in the 60's and playing HS football in the middle 60's, #66 Ray Nietzche was my hero. I played linebacker in HS and looked up to him. But after all that was finished and done Dick Butkus came on the scene and I could only think, he must eat raw meat before the game! lol ! What an animal ! What an intense player. Then I realized Dick Butkus was what a middle linebacker was all about ! May he rest in peace knowing he left his incredible mark on American Football. I only wished I could have sat down with him and had a beer ...God Bless him and his family

[@wardatkins1320]

When I think about The Monsters of the Midway I think about The great Dick Butkus

[@BELCAN57]

He was a FOOTBALL PLAYER.

[@twillis449]

Dick Butkus - a true monster of the midway.

[@maddrone7814]

*THE* monster of the midway

[@melindaostergren8115]

I’m seasoned enough that I watched Butkus play at the University of Illinois before he went on to Chicago. And, so, I’ve been a Bears fan ever since. Perhaps it was a Life Magazine article but I have this distinct memory of poring over black white pictures of the retired Butkus and the damage he’d suffered. He was sitting on the side of his bed, in white boxers, and his right knee was the focus of the photo. There was another picture of his hands. Such a different world it was in those days! I’ve been thinking back to players from times gone by and Night Train Lane came to mind. I don’t have all the dates in mind but I remember Night Train. I recently came across “Paper Lion,” by George Plimpton. I read it when it came out and will take another look. This weekend is Homecoming at Illinois. I hope they do something to honor Butkus at halftime.

[@MarkKrauklis]

There have been some great linebackers over the years. #1, bar none, was Chicago Bears #51, Dick Butkus. He DEFINED the middle linebacker position and set the standard for toughness and excellence that has yet, and never will, be equaled. R.I.P Mr. Butkus from a fellow Chicago born Lithuanian. Dick, this day we mourn your passing and celebrate your life.🥰🇺🇲🥰🇺🇲🥰🇺🇲

[@Ken_Scaletta]

Dick Butkus was such a badass that he never even knew he had a funny name.

[@timothysworld1028]

Chuck Hughes (who died on the field) "Hughes, a decoy on the play, began running back to the huddle with 1:02 showing on the clock. Suddenly, he dropped to the turf clutching his chest around the 20-yard line. Hughes collapsed near Bears linebacker Dick Butkus, who saw him begin to convulse violently on the field. Butkus motioned to the sideline frantically to get Hughes assistance.["

[@billveek9518]

Jimmy Taylor would have a strong argument about that comment that it was only Sayers and Brown as the best backs of that era, he was the rushing leader in the middle of both their careers! He had the rings to prove it.

[@alexandermatthews145]

Im only 50 years old, but yeah i can remember in the late 70s a little bit and i definitely remember the 80s NFL football was a lot different way more physical and a game say being tied up 28 to 28 in the 4th quarter with 5 minutes left was a very high scoring game

[@MrDuds1984]

Butkus had legendary status when he played and if there was a Mr Rushmore of who was/the epitome of what the NFL is Butkus was he on there.

[@seandupree8871]

Dick Butkus ( RIP ) , Ronnie Lott , Steve Atwater , Chuck Cecil , Jack Tatum , John Lynch , Ken Easley - guys and other players like them wouldn't be allowed to play in today's NFL. I find it odd that people claim they loved the way Butkus played the game but they hate Vontaze Burfict and Bill Romanowski. Football is violence - organized chaos and I'm not sure what this is we see on TV now. Flopping , penalties every other play. Man this used to be a GREAT game

[@fredd_g5880]

Astute observation 🍺

[@your_royal_highness]

Calvin Hill was asked if he was ever afraid playing in the NFL for the Cowboys. He said no EXCEPT…he then related a story about how Dallas was playing the Bears and Butkus was furious at a ball placement so he picked up the ball and moved it back a foot. The refs LEFT IT THERE! Hill figured if the refs were intimidated, he better be, too!

[@mejonesop]

Owners had all the power

[@wowster-so8sx]

The name Dick Butkis will live forever

[@donpeifer696]

Dick Butkus was the best. He played by the rules and HIS heart! He will be missed but never forgotten, ever !!!

[@leodrosia4369]

I think dick and jim brown are 2 greatest pure football players ever , patriot fan

[@JBBooks-qv2kp]

Difference with the NFL now is there is no fear in the game. Butkus instilled fear in opposing players!

[@mykofreder1682]

The problem with the late 60 early 70s Bears is Halas was cheap in a no cap league and Concannon with a sub 60 rating was their best QB.

[@pat557]

Concannon. Jeeze, I haven't heard that name in decades. You're right though.

[@jamesgibson538]

Only ten years older than I. Butkus and Sayers were my guys, but I was only in high school. Rest in peace, Mister Butkus.

[@RevJack-jn1nu]

WHAT NEWS !!! BUTKUS.....THE GREATEST ! FACT !

[@Billyoutz]

well put Mr. King, well said ....A part of Football History is gone.

[@lifeforceblessings691]

100% effort, 100% of the time!

[@paulwinson1137]

My boyhood HERO!

[@mpokorny20]

He was the epitome of toughness. In this pathetically soft society his voice and presence will be missed

[@davidmarrotte3265]

Butkus was one of the baddest of the bad folks!

[@tedpetry2028]

Green Bay had Ray Nitzke....(sp) it was so great to see those players......those days showed who was a moster. Ray, Dick, both middle linebackers, were causing hell on runners and everyone else

[@jailbreak852]

He'll still echo a while, rip

[@user-iq6cc3df3l]

I started watching NFL football probably when Florio did and, like him, I was a Vikings fan. “Was” is the correct term as I gave up on them like a New York fan on the Jets with but one Achilles tear four games into a lost season. Ahem. But I remember well games in the “Black and Blue” division, especially Vikings-vs-Bears. Butkus hit other players so hard, in freezing-cold weather to boot, that he’d hurt other players’ whole families. That guy was an absolute Beast. (An interesting side note: I read the book I think called “Black Bird” or something like that by the drug dealer who cut a deal with the FBI to catch a serial killer while both were in the same prison. But the drug dealer’s parole officer, or maybe point-of-contact with the Feds, was related to Dick Butkus, maybe his cousin. Man, I would’ve begged her to get me Butkus’ autograph.)

[@HondaSnowblowerEnthusiasts311]

You judge a player's greatness as if could he play with today's players. yes , he would DOMINATE in the NFL now.

[@user-iq6cc3df3l]

There once was a linebacker named Butkus, Hit a player’s midsection with one big “gut kiss.” Put the fear of God, Into players on sod. But never did he another player’s butt kiss.

[@terrenceprisby6782]

Saw him practice on the CVS triangle in 1959, the last play he got the ball as a fullback. Pity the several would be tacklers !

[@davidrobarts4812]

Thats why he was the best defensive player of all time. NASTY, MEAN,OVER THE TOP KILLER ATTITUDE

[@davidburke9596]

They used to say there was a sure bet in the 60s NFL. Pick against whoever played against The Bears the week before. Bears should have given the Vikings all the draft picks they wanted for Francis in 66. Minny was still building & their conservative coaches hated Mr T.

[@MrDuds1984]

Yo Butkus!!

[@rgjerde53]

There were Butkus years that the Bears offense wasn't that great. I remember watching games when I hoped the Bears would go three and out -- just so I could see Dick Butkus and the defense play more.

[@21til85]

We would “all” not say that. Hit’em hard and hit’em often. #BearDown #RIPButkus.

[@stevenkloepping2953]

Butkus was like a lot of football players are. They can be great guys off the field but once you step on that football field their demeanor changes. They want to kill the guys on the other team and nobody was better at that than he was. If it was really possible to knock someone's head off Butkus would have been the one to do it first.

[@melindaostergren8115]

And he’d take a bite out of anything that was nearby and handy, too.

[@baymaxc1647]

Lord Jesus please Bless his Soul, comfort his loving family and friends and fans, he will be greatly missed and appreciated. I remember back in the day you never got out of your chair to do anything when Dick was on the Field. Thank you so very much for all the Great memories

[@davidrobarts4812]

The player was CHUCK HUGHES, BUT I THINK IT WAS EARLY 70 S

[@uncleterry2148]

I didn’t see every game Butkus played, but I don’t remember seeing him take a knee during the national anthem.

[@DannyWalker1963]

Butus also wasn't pay much money... Your point is?

[@raulduke6105]

😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@timothysworld1028]

The problem was Papa Bear Halas. By that time he was out of touch.

[@rossvoss5408]

The tragedy for the Bears is that they had to play the Packers, Vikings and Lions twice a season in the Central Division.

[@rossvoss5408]

The Lions defense was anchored by the middle linebacker Mike Lucia (the defensive captain), and Alex Karras the defensive tackle.

[@chrisweidner4768]

I agree. Before Lawrence was Dick. Gotta give the nod to Lawrence as well.

[@devinhapanovich8428]

GOAT His own teammates feared him.

[@edsmith1054]

Bob Trumpy left Illinois because he was tired of getting hit by Butkus in practice.

[@travisrhodes1477]

We need more like him . Put a cast on your arm and clothesline anyone coming across the middle . Serve up CTE like a real man to real men . While their at it go straight for the QBs ankle like LT56 did to redskins QB JT .

[@lcchristensen9322]

1965 was the last time the Bears had a good draft.

[@Billyoutz]

Mr. Butkus played "real" football and all the old timers did but Butkus was on the high end and meaner than CHIT ....lol....Good man too.

[@tedpetry2028]

I remember when Dick was on the field and a detroit lions player collapsed on the field and people thought Dick killed him...Dick was trying to wave people on the field to get medics on the field.

[@rothbj1]

Player was Chuck Hughes. Butkus frantically waved trainers to assist when he realized the situation. My parents were at that game....

[@chrisrenaldo643]

...never had a QB' and the Green Packers 65-68.

[@davidrobarts4812]

Jack con cannon the qb. Their you go could not beat Bart Starr and the pack

[@davidrobarts4812]

VINCE ripped out 20 pages of play book, why coach? Because of butkus, not runnin these plays

[@matthewerspamer6274]

If Justin Jefferson played for the Bears he would already be the leading receiver in Bears franchise history. By total receiving yards. Team has never had a consistently strong passing game. Ever. In their entire history.

[@pat557]

Right. It's weird how some franchises have NEVER had talent at certain positions even to this day.

[@kevinhouse4376]

Well, Bears QB Sid Luckman is a Hall of Famer, but he played in the 1940s. And yes, it's difficult to think of any great Bears receivers.

[@matthewerspamer6274]

​@@kevinhouse4376 My apologies to all of the 90-100 year old NFL fans out there for forgetting about SID LUCKMAN my god.

[@strothermartin5368]

Plus, George Hallas was cheap.

[@folkblues4u]

I can't put LT on any "greatest" list. Could you imagine what Butkus would've played like if HE was smoking crack-cocaine before every game and every halftime - as LT has admitted?

[@carlweaver3243]

First off, the Bears' QBs during Sayers' and Butkus' careers, basically '65 thru '72/'73, were terrible, lousy, untalented stiffs. Halas traded away Ditka in '67 to Philadelphia for QB Jack Concannon, who was the best of the Bears' Signal Callers back then, but He, too, sucked. Sayers was the Offense and when He went down in November of '68, He was done and so were the Bears. They lost 3 of the last 5 games without Sayers and missed the playoff by 1 game. Sayers doesn't get hurt, they most likely win their Division (Bears 7-7 owned Tie Breaker with Vikings 8-6 that year) and go to the Playoffs as Gale was having the best season of His career, averaging 6.2 yards per carry. Secondly, Halas retired after the '67 Season. He should've retired after the '63 Championship but, at the very least, He should've retired after the '64 Season and made George Allen HC. Allen was Papa Bear's DC and ran the Bears Draft. He was responsible for Sayers and Butkus coming to Chicago. Plus, He would've put better players around those 2 and got the Bears to the Playoffs, if the Old Man would've left Him alone to run things. I mean, look at what Allen did with the Rams and then the Redskins. But, unfortunately, Halas let Allen walk after a Breach of Contract Lawsuit in '66 and the rest is History. And lastly, Butkus, as Great as He was, had little or no help on His side of the ball, outside of Buffone and O'Bradovich. Plus, Butkus played alot of minutes due to a weak Offense, especially after Sayers went down, and that took a toll on His knees. The Bears only won 20 games from '69 thru '73, Butkus' last season. When Allen left before the '66 season, the Bears didn't draft another Pro Bowler until '73 when they took Wally Chambers.

[@curtconroy8789]

Lawrence Taylor #1, Butkus or Nitschke #2

[@gerrydooley951]

Butkus played football at a time when big, tough WHITE guys still ruled football. They don't any more and white people, especially white commentators miss that.

[@taxfree4]

Another Dr Fauci statistic

[@ezechialtaylor2331]

I can't help but imagine him being an old white man, being a racist

[@robertsprouse9282]

Pathological statement..you do not even know DICK BUTKUS. JARRETT PAYTON thinks differently, you bleepin' GENIUS.

[@dennissaunders5247]

R.I.P DICK BUTKUS. GOD BLESS HIM.AND HIS FAMILY. LEGENDARY HALL OF FAME FOOTBALL PLAYER. LEGENDARY HALL OF FAME PERSON. IN MY OPINION DICK BUTKUS AND JACK TATUM TWO OF THE HARDEST HITTERS IN NFL HISTORY. YOU WILL BE MISSED SIR.

[@evoman1776]

Deacon Jones quote: "Butkus was a well conditioned animal and when he hit you he tried to put you in the cemetery - not the hospital".

[@Kanezilla66]

Imagine butkus on drugs like Lawrence wow 😮

[@bobbykiriakidis9753]

Peter there is a shit stain on the chair behind you to the right. Please clean it up

[@MalEvansUSA]

Overrated linebacker. He wasn’t even in top 30. He belongs in mediocre category. He was overrated cause he was white. Ray Lewis. Lawrence Taylor Hollywood Henderson all superior

[@leodrosia4369]

Ask all the black guys he kicked the crap out of

[@andrewbriggs5066]

What a ridiculous comment.

[@MalEvansUSA]

@@leodrosia4369 he couldnt carry ray Lewis bloody knife or Lawrence Taylor’s lite up crack pipe Ray Lewis was a real honest to god killer unlike dickie Butkus

[@codywray8212]

😂😂😂

[@bidensucsbigdickskalmadrin6877]

Peter King is a Peter

[@1981expos]

The shame is that Steve Sabol left before Dick. The only person who would honor him properly

[@robertsprouse9282]

Not the only, but the best.