Dick Butkus biography
Dick Butkus, byname of Richard Marvin Butkus, (born December 9, 1942, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.), American skilled gridiron soccer participant who, as center linebacker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL), was the dominant defensive participant of his period. He was exceptionally giant for a linebacker enjoying within the Sixties (6 ft 3 inches [1.9 metres] and 245 kilos [111 kg]) and had a repute for relentless pursuit and ferocious tackling.
Butkus performed each fullback and linebacker at Chicago Vocational High School. As a center linebacker on the University of Illinois (1962–64), he earned consensus All-America honours in 1963 and 1964, his senior season, when he additionally completed third within the voting for the Heisman Trophy (an distinctive consequence for a defensive participant).
Butkus was chosen by the Bears and by the Denver Broncos within the first spherical of the NFL and the American Football League draft, respectively. He signed together with his hometown staff, and in his first 12 months with the Bears (1965) he intercepted 5 passes and was chosen for the primary of eight consecutive Pro Bowls. Butkus, who led the Bears in tackles in every of his first eight seasons within the league, was well-known for his skill to strip the ball throughout a deal with. In a profession shortened by accidents, he gathered 1,020 tackles, 22 interceptions, and 27 fumble recoveries, the final an NFL document for a defensive participant on the time of his retirement.
After retiring in 1973, Butkus acted on tv and in movies. A five-time first-team All-Pro choice, he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979 and in 1994 was named to the NFL’s seventy fifth Anniversary All-Time Team. In 1985 the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando (Florida) started presenting the Butkus Award to the excellent collegiate linebacker of the 12 months. The Butkus Foundation assumed management of the award in 2008, and that 12 months it was broadened to honour gamers on the highschool {and professional} degree. The basis was additionally concerned in numerous charities and notably sought to discourage steroid use amongst youngsters.