Dick Butkus Biography - Throwback Jerseys - Chicago Bears

Dick Butkus Biography

Chicago Bears Legendary Linebacker

Besides setting new standards for brutality on a football field, Dick Butkus was striking fear into all of his opponents. Dick Butkus was the fastest man on the blitz, his lateral movement was unparalleled and he could drop back into pass protection better than any other linebacker. In 1970, when football coaches were asked which player they would most want on their team, Butkus was a near unanimous choice.

Was he the best defensive player ever? This will be argued until the end of time. Lawrence Taylor fans will argue otherwise, as well as many other Hall of Famers. However, there are a few things that set Butkus apart from any other potential candidate.  First, the talent gap between himself and his contemporaries was as wide as the Grand Canyon. There was not any one aspect of his game that any linebacker in the 1960's could touch.

The second factor that set Dick Butkus apart was his approach.  No one had ever played the game of football like him, and no one has played it with such venom since.  He was like a tornado that blasted through the league, leaving unspeakable destruction in its path.  He stomped around the field, making inhuman noises that scared opponents and teammates alike.  He tried to hurt every player with whom he came in contact with. Butkus taunted his victims throughout the game.

The NFL officials didn't have a clue on how to deal with Butkus.  He ignored whistles, continuing to twist and tear at a ball carrier's body long after a play had been blown dead (How many fines would he receive today?). He shouted to confuse opposing centers and routinely spit on linemen to make them move and draw the flag. He specialized in smothering a downed opponent and wrenching the ball out of his arms.

Even after a play was apparently over, Butkus would emerge with the ball and jam the ball in the referee's face and shout that it was a fumble and that it was a clean recovery.  Every so often the intimidation tactic would work, and the Chicago Bears offense would march onto the field.  Teammates estimated that he pulled off that trick an average of eight or nine times a year!

Was Dick Butkus the best defensive player ever? Maybe. Was he the most intimidating? Without a doubt!

Dick Butkus Biography Timeline

• Born : December 9th, 1942
• Age 7 : Announces he'll play for the Chicago Bears when he gets older
• Age 14 : Enrolls in Chicago Vocational High School. Was a standout fullback on one of Chicago's toughest teams.
• Age 18 : Accepts scholarship to the University of Illinois.
• Age 21 : All American selection for second time. #3 in the Heisman voting.
• Age 22 : Third pick in the 1965 NFL draft.  Starts at Middle Linebacker for the Chicago Bears.
• 1969 : Demands a trade after the Chicago Bears go 1-13 but then agrees to stay.
• 1972 : Lead Chicago Bears in interceptions.
• 1973 : Scores his only career touchdown. Retires at the end of the season.

Dick Butkus Throwback Chicago Bears Jerseys

 

Women's Dick Butkus Throwback Chicago Bears Jerseys

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