Update: The Bears have confirmed the news.
Legendary Chicago Bears linebacker Dick Butkus has died at the age of 80, according to a report from TMZ Sports.
Buy Bears TicketsNFL Legend Dick Butkus Dead At 80 https://t.co/F5WH8a9TEF
— TMZ (@TMZ) October 5, 2023
According to the report, Butkus was found unresponsive in his house on Thursday afternoon. Paramedics arrived and pronounced him dead at the scene.
Drafted third overall in 1965, Butkus became one of the most feared linebackers in the NFL. Butkus was a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year winner, was named first-team All-Pro five times, went to eight Pro Bowls and made the NFL’s All-Decade Team in the 1960s and 1970s. Butkus was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979, his first year of eligibility.
After retirement, Butkus became a television and movie star, appearing in a number of films, as well as commercials. He remained close to the Bears as well, taking part in various social media campaigns over the years and making frequent trips to Soldier Field. He was in attendance for the Bears’ season opener against the Green Bay Packers less than a month ago.
