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<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\tRelated: <\/span>Celebrity Deaths in 2023: Stars We’ve Lost<\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\t\t\tAfter losing beloved stars including Barbara Walters, Kirstie Alley and Stephen \u201ctWitch\u201d Boss in the final days of 2022, the entertainment industry continued to deal with loss in 2023. Hollywood was dealt a devastating blow with three significant losses in April: Jerry Springer, Harry Belafonte and Dancing With the Stars judge Len Goodman all died [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The late athlete\u2019s jersey \u2014 No. 51 \u2014 was retired in 1994 by the team to honor his legacy. Butkus was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1979.<\/p>\n
\u200b\u200bThroughout his time in the NFL, Butkus was a starter in 119 games for the Bears. He was a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and was selected to eight Pro Bowls. Butkus was also named an All-Pro seven times in his nine seasons.<\/p>\n\n![\"Dick](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Dick-Butkus-dead-at-80-254.jpg?w=700&quality=86&strip=all\")
<\/div>Bettmann Archive\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nHe was later named into the NFL\u2019s 1960s All-Decade Team, 1970s All-Decade Team, 75th Anniversary All-Time Team and 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, solidifying Butkus as one of the all-time greats in his position.<\/p>\n
The Butkus Award was instituted in 1985. It is an honor given to the best high school, college and professional linebackers annually.<\/p>\n
Following his football career, Butkus became a sports broadcaster and broke into Hollywood<\/a> with roles in 1974\u2019s The Longest Yard<\/em>, 1991\u2019s Necessary Roughness<\/em> and 1999\u2019s Any Given Sunday<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n![\"Mark-Wahlberg-Celebs-Who-Love-Football\"](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Mark-Wahlberg-Celebs-Who-Love-Football.jpg?crop=0px%2C49px%2C2000px%2C1131px&resize=400%2C225&quality=40&strip=all\")
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\n\n\t\t\tRelated: <\/span>Nick Lachey! Alyssa Milano! Joe Manganiello! Celebs Who Love Football<\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\t\t\tFootball fanatics! It\u2019s no secret that athletes such as Tom Brady, Jay Cutler and Aaron Rodgers love football, but there are also plenty of stars that enjoy rooting for their favorite teams from the sidelines, too \u2014 or from the comfort of their homes. Whether they\u2019re suiting up in the jerseys of their favorite players [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cDick Butkus wasn\u2019t just one of the greatest football players to ever play the game, he was a remarkable man,\u201d retired running back Jarrett Payton<\/strong> wrote via an X tribute<\/a> on Thursday. \u201cHe was always there for me when I needed him. Now, these 3 #Bears legends are in heaven, sharing a drink, getting ready to watch the #TNF game from the best seats. Here\u2019s to you, @thedickbutkus. Your spirit will live on forever. #RIPButkus \ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffd\ud83d\udc3b\u2b07\ufe0f #NFL.\u201d<\/p>\nBears chairman George H. McCaskey<\/strong> also honored Butkus in a statement on Thursday<\/a>, calling the late player \u201cthe ultimate Bear and one of the greatest players in NFL history.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nThank You!<\/h3>\n
You have successfully subscribed.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
<\/div>He was later named into the NFL\u2019s 1960s All-Decade Team, 1970s All-Decade Team, 75th Anniversary All-Time Team and 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, solidifying Butkus as one of the all-time greats in his position.<\/p>\n
The Butkus Award was instituted in 1985. It is an honor given to the best high school, college and professional linebackers annually.<\/p>\n
Following his football career, Butkus became a sports broadcaster and broke into Hollywood<\/a> with roles in 1974\u2019s The Longest Yard<\/em>, 1991\u2019s Necessary Roughness<\/em> and 1999\u2019s Any Given Sunday<\/em>.<\/p>\n \t\t<\/a><\/p>\n \n\t\t\tFootball fanatics! It\u2019s no secret that athletes such as Tom Brady, Jay Cutler and Aaron Rodgers love football, but there are also plenty of stars that enjoy rooting for their favorite teams from the sidelines, too \u2014 or from the comfort of their homes. Whether they\u2019re suiting up in the jerseys of their favorite players [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cDick Butkus wasn\u2019t just one of the greatest football players to ever play the game, he was a remarkable man,\u201d retired running back Jarrett Payton<\/strong> wrote via an X tribute<\/a> on Thursday. \u201cHe was always there for me when I needed him. Now, these 3 #Bears legends are in heaven, sharing a drink, getting ready to watch the #TNF game from the best seats. Here\u2019s to you, @thedickbutkus. Your spirit will live on forever. #RIPButkus \ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffd\ud83d\udc3b\u2b07\ufe0f #NFL.\u201d<\/p>\n Bears chairman George H. McCaskey<\/strong> also honored Butkus in a statement on Thursday<\/a>, calling the late player \u201cthe ultimate Bear and one of the greatest players in NFL history.\u201d<\/p>\n You have successfully subscribed.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\tRelated: <\/span>Nick Lachey! Alyssa Milano! Joe Manganiello! Celebs Who Love Football<\/a>
\n\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\nThank You!<\/h3>\n
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