~ In Memoriam ~ Richard Marvin "Dick" Butkus December 9, 1942 – October 5, 2023 Chicago #Bears Legend, #NFL Icon

Oct 5, 2025 · 2:48 PM UTC

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Replying to @KevG163
When you look at his tackles the runner just literally stops when he hits them. I forget who said it but he said being hit by butkus was like being hit by a violent brick wall. Every time he tackles you, it hurts.
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Replying to @KevG163
What a great football player and one of my heroes. I was an undersized middle linebacker in high school and when I was asked to choose a jersey number I asked for 51. Sadly, somebody else had it so I took 52. I watched lots of film of butkus and tried to Emulate him. I never came close.
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I’m a Green Bay Fan. Butkus and Nitschke, are the Best that I’ve ever seen👏👍👏👍
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Replying to @KevG163
Imagine the havoc he would've created with two good knees. Scary
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Replying to @KevG163
As a kid, it took me a long time to reconcile that even though Dick Butkus wasn't a Dallas Cowboy, he was the best middle linebacker of all time.
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Replying to @KevG163
Legend Hall Of Famer,One A Kind #51. Deacon Jones once said, "When Butkus Hit Ya, They Would Call For The Ambulance 🚨🏈🫵
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Replying to @KevG163
He was my idol growing up,would always pretend to be him on the football field.
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Replying to @KevG163
At least half of his plays would be penalties under rules today.
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Replying to @KevG163
Back in the day my sister was on a modeling assignment with Duck Butkus. Butkus, the agent and she went out for a drink afterwards.Butkus had a few and was getting loud. The bouncer said he had to leave. He didn’t want an incident with a young lady present so they left. At the door Butkus walks up to the bouncer and said “ I just want you to know I’m leaving because I want to and not because you told me to. “
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Replying to @KevG163
Somewhere I read he practiced on tree trunks. Lining up and launching into them again and again. That story always caught my fancy. If true, it reportedly toughened him to immovable objects. Once so toughened, 'movable' objects - like opponents - must've felt like feathers.
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Replying to @KevG163
There has never been anyone like him.
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Replying to @KevG163
I was 9yrs old when I started noticing NFL clips about Butkus. I had been playing football for 2 years. As I watched I began to emulate Dick, every tackle hitting as hard as I could and grunting loudly & snarling. I love Dick Butkus. A time in life that was so much fun
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Replying to @KevG163
He was great, but for about 8 years this man was the badest on the planet
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GIF
Replying to @KevG163
The best linebacker ever easily one of the top 5 football players of all time RIP
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The best middle linebacker ever. The gold standard. Back when football was football.
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Replying to @KevG163
Mr. Butkus played the game the way it was meant to be played, with tenacity and determination. Nothing but respect 🫡 RIP 51
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Replying to @KevG163
Phenominal He was a terror on the football field . That was the golden era of the NFL Today's game is a joke in comparison
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Replying to @KevG163
As a child, I recall going to the local library to check out NFL Films on reel to reel film. The Butkus films amazed by their devastating impact.
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Replying to @KevG163
This is the man that made me a Bears fan
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Replying to @KevG163 @tank_sturnoss
He was one bad guy nobody messed with Butkus
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🙏🕯️🏈
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GIF
Replying to @KevG163
In today's game 90% of his tackles would have been personal fouls and reviewed for targeting.
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hardest hitter I've ever seen
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Replying to @KevG163
Packers homer. I loved him. He wanted to separate you from the rest of you.
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Replying to @KevG163
One of the toughest bastards to ever play the game. He wouldn't be able to step on the field today.
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Replying to @KevG163
In high school, All-City running back. Ball carrier. Won at least 1, but I think it was 2 city championships. Some said he was the best high school level runner they’d ever seen up to then. Went to University of Illinois, switched to defense.
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Replying to @KevG163
So fun to watch his gentle tackles.
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Replying to @KevG163
The Juice with some very erie comments
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Replying to @KevG163
OJ once said, "when I get the ball, my first thought is, where is he?
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Replying to @KevG163
One of my favorite players that I only saw play a few times but his legacy is incredible. I wonder with current NFL how many times would he be fined or suspended in today’s game.
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Replying to @KevG163
Violence on the gridiron personified.
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Replying to @KevG163
The greatest
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