The Bears will honor the late, great Dick Butkus for the remainder of the 2023 season with a jersey patch commemorating the legendary linebacker’s No. 51, the team announced Friday.
Chicago will debut the homage in Week 6 for the team’s home game against the Vikings as part of a host of tributes in honor of Butkus, who died at the age of 80 on Oct. 5. The navy, football-shaped patch, positioned on the upper left chest, will be outlined in orange with white lacing and Butkus’s iconic jersey number on the inside.
“It’s been gratifying to hear so many of our current players say in recent days how much they appreciate the Butkus legacy,” said Bears Chairman George H. McCaskey in a statement on Friday. “The purpose of the patch is, every time they pull on the pads they’ll take a moment to think about Dick and his approach to the game.”
