- Hall of Famer Dick Butkus spent his entire career with the Chicago Bears
- The former linebacker was reportedly found unresponsive at his residence
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
NFL legend Dick Butkus has died at the age of 80, his family confirmed in a statement.
Paramedics responded to a medical emergency at Butkus’s Malibu residency at 12.51pm Thursday, according to TMZ. The former linebacker was reportedly declared dead at the scene.
The report claims that Butkus was found unresponsive when someone went to check on him at the property.
‘The Butkus family confirms that football and entertainment legend Dick Butkus died peacefully in his sleep overnight at home in Malibu, California,’ a family statement read, via Fox32.
‘The Butkus family is gathering with Dick’s wife Helen. They appreciate your prayers and support.’
NFL legend Dick Butkus has died at the age of 80 after a medical emergency at home
Butkus, a chicago native, is hailed as one of the NFL’s greatest linebackers of all time
NFL legend Dick Butkus has died at the age of 80 after a medical emergency at home
Butkus is hailed as one of the greatest linebackers of all time and was a defensive standout at the University of Illinois before being taken with the No. 3 overall pick in the 1965 NFL draft by his hometown Chicago Bears.
Butkus, coming in a 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, spent his entire NFL career with the Bears before retiring in 1973 and the team retired his No. 51 jersey in 1994.
Throughout his impressive career, Butkus won six All-NFL selections, two Defensive Player of the Year honors and eight Pro Bowls.
He was considered to be one of the most intimidating players to take to the field, and earned several nicknames for his style of play, including The Maestro of Mayhem, The Enforcer, The Animal and The Robot of Destruction.
He had 1,020 tackles, 22 interceptions and 27 fumble recoveries over the span of nine seasons.
Butkus was named to the NFL’s All-Decade teams in the 1960s and 1970s, as well as the 75th and 100th Anniversary teams.
In 1979, his first year of eligibility, Butkus was enshrined to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Even following his retirement from the league, Butkus continued to follow the NFL, sharing his thoughts on the Bears to X, formerly known as Twitter, where he gained a large following.
Butkus is survived by his wife, Helen and three children.
He was a member of the Bears alumni honored during halftime of Chicago’s season opener against the Green Bay Packers last month.
He spent his entire NFL career with the Bears and the team retired his No. 51 jersey in 1994
He had 1,020 tackles, 22 interceptions and 27 fumble recoveries over the span of nine seasons
In an interview during the game, Butkus said that it was ‘always good to be back in Chicago, especially when the Bears are going to kick the Packers’ [butt].’
He had also visited Halas Hall, the Bears’ training facility the week before, as he had done the previous year too.
‘It was awesome to have him here. It was special,’ Bears coach Matt Eberflus said in 2022.
‘I got a chance to take him up to my office and show him the Monsters of the Midway behind my desk. Of course, he’s on top, which is cool. He really liked seeing that. It was a joy to visit with him.’
More to follow.
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