Dick Butkus a Bears legend for all generations

Bears legend Dick Butkus has died. He chatted with a reporter on the sidelines and posed for photos with fans during the Bears game against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field Sept. 10. (Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times)

Longtime Bears linebacker Doug Buffone, who played next to Dick Butkus for Buffone’s first eight seasons in the NFL, used to recall standing on the field in the midst of a Bears game, looking at Butkus “frothing at the mouth” with the typical rage that fueled Butkus’ manic game and thinking one thing: 

“I’m glad he’s on my side.”