Dick Butkus Dies at 80
Dick Butkus, the iconic Pro Football Hall of Famer and Chicago Bears legend, has died. He was 80.
The Chicago Tribune confirmed Butkus died on Thursday (October 5) in his home in Malibu. TMZ reported paramedics were called to Butkus’ home “for a patient in cardiac arrest.” He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Butkus played in the NFL from 1965-1973. His entire career was spent with the Chicago Bears. The team issued a pic.twitter.com/BxVt7EfV9Q
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 5, 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement that reads, in part, “Dick was the ultimate Bear, and one of the greatest players in NFL history … Dick had a gruff manner, and maybe that kept some people from approaching him, but he actually had a soft touch.”
The Bears noted, ” … We are grateful he was able to be at our home opener this year to be celebrated one last time by his many fans.”
The sports world was quick to react. Sports journalist Jarrett Payton Dick Butkus wasn’t just one of the greatest football players to ever play the game, he was a remarkable man. He was always there for me when I needed him. Now, these 3 #Bears legends are in heaven, sharing a drink, getting ready to watch the #TNF game from the best seats. Here's… pic.twitter.com/dzKa8n5p7x
— Jarrett Payton (@paytonsun) October 5, 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tweeted, “Dick Butkus wasn’t just one of the greatest football players to ever play the game, he was a remarkable man. He was always there for me when I needed him.” NFL analyst Jacob Infante Dick Butkus was the epitome of what a middle linebacker should be.
He was the hardest-hitting and nastiest player every time he stepped on the field. RIP to one of the greatest #Bears, but also one of the best pure football players of all time. pic.twitter.com/j7m5aaT2UL
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) October 5, 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tweeted, “Dick Butkus was the epitome of what a middle linebacker should be. He was the hardest-hitting and nastiest player every time he stepped on the field. RIP to one of the greatest #Bears, but also one of the best pure football players of all time.”
Journalist Sarah Spain So sad to hear the news about Dick Butkus. He was just interviewed on the field during the season opener & was full of his usual feistiness, talking about kicking the Packers' asses.
A legendary player, so funny & multi-talented. He'll be so missed. Thoughts are with his family.
— Sarah Spain (@SarahSpain) October 5, 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tweeted “So sad to hear the news about Dick Butkus. He was just interviewed on the field during the season opener & was full of his usual feistiness, talking about kicking the Packers’ a–es. A legendary player, so funny & multi-talented. He’ll be so missed. Thoughts are with his family.”
Butkus began acting toward the end of his football career and during his retirement. Notably, he played Ed Klawicki on 27 episodes of My Two Dads between 1987-1989. He also played Coach Mike Katowinski for 52 episodes on Hang Time. Butkus’ other acting credits included 1971’s Brian’s Song, 1984’s Johnny Dangerously, 1991’s Necessary Roughness and The Last Boy Scout and 1999’s Any Given Sunday.
Celebrity Deaths 2023: Musicians, Entertainers & Cultural Figures We Lost
We’ve had to say goodbye to some big names this year in the worlds of entertainment, sports, politics and beyond. To be frank, it was an absolutely brutal year.
So many giants in music died in 2023. Guitar god Jeff Beck died suddenly in January at age 78 after contracting bacterial meningitis. In February, legendary songwriter Burt Bacharach died at age 94. Singer, actor and civil rights icon Harry Belafonte died in April at age 96 from congestive heart failure. In May, the world lost Tina Turner – the Queen of Rock ‘n Roll – at age 83. Iconic pop singer Tony Bennett died in July at age 96.
The worlds of television and film were not immune to significant loss in 2023. Sitcom mastermind Norman Lear died in December at age 101. Three’s Company star Suzanne Somers died in October at age 76 from an aggressive form of breast cancer. Matthew Perry also died in October. The Friends star was only 54. Bob Barker, longtime host of The Price is Right, died in August at age 99. Paul Reubens, best known for his character Pee-wee Herman, died in July at age 70 following a private battle with cancer.
The sports world was rocked by the deaths of three major wrestling figures. In June, The Iron Sheik (Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri) died at age 81. Then, in August, there were two back-to-back deaths. First, WWE Hall of Famer Terry Funk died at age 79. Funk’s hardcore style has been influential to generations of wrestlers that followed. Then, Bray Wyatt (Windham Rotunda) suddenly died at age 36. The young wrestler died after contracting COVID, which exacerbated a heart issue and led to a heart attack.
Scroll through the gallery below to see the musicians, celebrities and other cultural figures we’ve lost in 2023.
Erica Banas is a news blogger who's been covering the rock/classic rock world since 2014. The coolest event she's ever covered in person was the 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. (Sir Paul McCartney inducting Foo Fighters? C'mon now!) She's also well-versed in etiquette and extraordinarily nice. #TransRightsAreHumanRights
