Butkus, Dick

Butkus, Dick
in full Richard J. Butkus

born Dec. 9, 1942, Chicago, Ill., U.S.

U.S. football player.

He played for the University of Illinois before joining the Chicago Bears (1965–73). He became known for his aggression and toughness on the field as much as for his playmaking ability. His career was shortened by injuries; after retirement he became active in television and sports promotion. Butkus is considered among the best middle linebackers of all time.

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▪ American athlete
byname of  Richard Marvin Butkus  
born December 9, 1942, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.

      American professional National Football League (NFL) middle linebacker for the Chicago Bears who was the dominant defensive player of his era. He was large for a middle linebacker (6.25 feet [1.9 metres] and 245 pounds [111 kg]) and had a reputation for relentless pursuit and ferocious tackling.

      Butkus played gridiron football as a fullback and linebacker at Chicago Vocational High School. At the University of Illinois, he played middle linebacker (1962–64), earning All-America honours in 1963 and 1964. He also starred in the 1963 Rose Bowl game, a 17–7 Illinois victory over the University of Washington.

      In his first year with the Bears (1965), Butkus intercepted five passes, and in 1970 NFL coaches voted him the player whom they would most like to have on their teams. In a career shortened by injuries, Butkus accumulated 1,020 tackles, 22 interceptions, and 25 fumble recoveries. After retiring in 1973, he was active in television and films. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979.

      Since 1985 the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando (Florida) has awarded the Butkus Trophy to the outstanding collegiate linebacker of the year.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Butkus, Dick — p. ext. Richard J. Butkus (n. 9 dic. 1942, Chicago, Ill., EE.UU.). Jugador estadounidense de fútbol americano. Compitió para la Universidad de Illinois antes de unirse a los Chicago Bears (1965–73). Se hizo conocido tanto por su agresividad y… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Dick Butkus — in 1984 No. 51      Linebacker Personal information Date of bi …   Wikipedia

  • Dick Butkus — Position(en): Linebacker Trikotnummer(n): 51 geboren am 9. Dezember 1942 in Chicago, Illinois …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Dick Butkus — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Dick Butkus Dick Butkus Posición(s): LB Numero(s): 51 …   Wikipedia Español

  • dick — /dik/, n. Slang. 1. a detective. 2. Vulgar. penis. [1545 55; generic use of the proper name] * * * (as used in expressions) Butkus Dick Cheney Dick Clark Dick Van Dyke Dick Dick Whittington * * * …   Universalium

  • Dick — /dik/, n. 1. George Frederick, 1881 1967, U.S. internist. 2. Philip K., 1928 82, U.S. science fiction writer. 3. a male given name, form of Richard. * * * (as used in expressions) Butkus Dick Cheney Dick Clark Dick Van Dyke Dick Dick Whittington… …   Universalium

  • Dick — (as used in expressions) Butkus, Dick Clark, Dick Van Dyke, Dick Dick Whittington …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Dick Butkus — Données générales Nom complet Richard Marvin « Dick » Butkus …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Butkus Award — Awarded for Given to the top linebackers at the high school, collegiate and professional levels of football Presented by Butkus Foundation Country United States First awarded …   Wikipedia

  • Dick Lane (American football) — Dick Lane Position(s) Cornerback Jersey #(s) 81 Born April 16, 1927(1927 04 16) Austin, Texas Died January 29, 2002(2002 01 29) (aged 73) …   Wikipedia

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