His family confirmed the newson social media.
After back-to-back All-America seasons at the University of Illinois, Butkus was picked No.
3 overall by his hometownChicago Bearsin 1965.
Dick Butkus, playing for the Chicago Bears in action circa 1970sGetty Images
Dick was the ultimate Bear, and one of the greatest players in NFL history.
He was Chicagos son, Bears chairman George H. McCaskey said ina statement.
He refused to accept anything less than the best from himself, or from his teammates.
Dick Butkus circa 1965Bettmann Archive
… His contributions to the game he loved will live forever.
Butkus later coached the Chicago Enforcers of the original XFL in 2001.
Dick Butkus was a legend who embodied what it means to be a Chicago Bear.
I love the game.
The NFL is mourning the loss of legendary Hall of Famer Dick Butkus.
It lasted only 11 episodes.
He also played himself in episodes of the 2000s seriesThe Bernie Mac Show, Inside SchwartzandI Didnt Do It.
He also was referenced often inSaturday Night Livespopular Da Bears sketches of the early 1990s.
In Chicago, Dick Butkus was football.
