Photo: Alan Light / CC BY 2.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Dick Butkus is a player I genuinely revere. The Chicago native turned the linebacker position into something fearsome with the Bears from 1965 to 1973, earning eight Pro Bowls in nine seasons and twice being named the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year. What elevates him beyond the field is his second act as an actor, broadcaster and radio personality, proving the menacing 'Bear' had genuine charisma off the gridiron too. His 2023 passing closed a remarkable life, but the Hall of Fame legend endures. To me he represents a fierce, free-spirited, unmistakably American kind of greatness, and I salute him.
Overview
Richard Marvin Butkus (December 9, 1942 – October 5, 2023) was an American professional football linebacker, sports commentator, and actor. He played football for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL) from 1965 to 1973. He was invited to eight Pro Bowls in nine seasons, named a first-team All-Pro five times, and was twice recognized by his peers as the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year.
Summary adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Dick Butkus
- Name (Japanese)
- ディック・バトカス
- Reading
- でぃっく・ばとかす
- Born
- December 9, 1942 – October 5, 2023
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Sagittarius / Horse
- Origin
- Chicago, Illinois, United States
- Blood type
- Private
- Height
- 191 cm
- Agency
- Private
- Occupation
- actor / television presenter / radio personality / American football player / television actor
2. Background
- Elementary school
- Private
- Junior high
- Private
- High school
- Chicago Vocational High School
- University
- University of Illinois system
Awards & achievements
- Pro Football Hall of Fame
- 1963 Chicago Tribune Silver Football
3. Relationships
- Spouse
- Private
- Children
- Private
- Parents
- Private
- Siblings
- Private
4. Personality
Motto
Private
6. Links
Actor — see all → · Television presenter — see all → · More people from United States →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-02
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public items are marked "Private / Unknown". English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.