Legendary Bears linebacker Dick Butkus died Thursday at the age of 80, prompting an outpouring of messages from NFL fans celebrating the life of the Hall of Famer.
Butkus, who played exclusively for Chicago across a nine-year career, made eight Pro Bowls and was selected to five All-Pro teams, before ultimately being enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979 during his first year of eligibility.
One of the greatest defensive players of all time, Butkus’s impact on the sport was not lost on the football world. As news of his passing spread, a multitude of heartfelt messages about his life, career, and legacy were posted on social media.
