Dick Butkus Career NFL Stats 1965-1973 |
|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G |
SOLOTKL |
AST TKL |
COMB TKL |
SACKS |
INT |
INT TD |
FF |
FR |
FRTD |
| 119 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
0.0 |
22 |
0 |
N/A |
27 |
1 |
Richard Marvin Butkus, commonly known as Dick Butkus, was born on December 8, 1942 in Chicago, IL. He is the son of Emma and Don Butkus. Growing up on the South side of Chicago, sports were everything to Butkus. He wanted to become a professional football player since he was in elementary school. His dream did come true as he became a Chicago Bears legend and widely considered the most feared linebacker in NFL history.
Butkus attended Chicago Vocational High School. He was a force on both sides of the ball playing linebacker and fullback. Although he was an All-State selection at fullback, his calling would be on defense. He accepted a scholarship offer from the University of Illinois.
Dick Butkus College Career Stats and Notes
Butkus played for Illinois from 1962-64. He totaled 374 tackles during his college career. He led the Illini to two consecutive bowl game appearances. Butkus was a two-time All-American and two-time All-Big 10 First Team selection.
Awards and Achievements |
|
MVP
|
|
All-Pro
|
1st Team: 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1972 2nd Team: 1966, 1971 |
Pro Bowl Selections |
1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972
|
Defensive Player of the Year Award |
|
Achievements
|
Member of 1960s All-Decade Team Member of 1970s All-Decade Team Member of NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team Member of NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team |
Dick Butkus NFL Career Stats and Notes
Butkus was the 3rd overall pick in the 1965 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. The first in a great line of middle linebackers to come through Chicago, Butkus spent his entire nine year NFL career with his hometown team. A six-time First Team All-Pro selection and an eight-time Pro Bowl selection, Butkus retired after the 1973 season. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979.
Dick Butkus A Monster of the Midway
When it comes to the history of the NFL, nothing brings out the greatness of the game more than the stories of yesteryear about legends like Dick Butkus. He is seen as a mythical player to millions from later generations who never saw him play. Butkus starred in an era glorified by tales from the hard hitting games played in the blistering cold of the Midwest.
Butkus was considered the meanest of them all as he played with blatant disregard for his and any opposing players’ bodies. He delivered nasty, bone crunching hits, so much so that they’re illegal now. In his era, tackles led to painful injuries, left players bloody and sometimes missing their teeth. That was the norm during his time. A true Monster of the Midway, Butkus was one of a kind.