When news of Dick Butkus' passing broke Thursday, current & former Bears players, media personalities and countless others took to social media to pay tribute to the Hall of Fame linebacker.
Dick Butkus was a legend who embodied what it means to be a Chicago Bear. Our hearts go out to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/8UEVuuZLwi
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 5, 2023
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 5, 2023
A larger than life player with a personality to match.
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 6, 2023
There will never be another quite like Dick Butkus. pic.twitter.com/GLcXQLX9F2
"We played for him tonight"@justnfields paid tribute to the legendary Dick Butkus after a great @ChicagoBears win.#TNFonPrime pic.twitter.com/Ic1HHpwdOc
— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) October 6, 2023
R.I.P Dick Butkus 🙏💫
— DJ Moore (@idjmoore) October 6, 2023
Was looking over us Tonight
That one for Dick Butkus🤞🏾
— DeMarcus Walker (@livinglegend_44) October 6, 2023
Very sad news about Dick Butkus passing away. My earliest memories as a #Bears fan involve Butkus dominating on defense. He was always cordial and nice when I got to meet him and interview him over the years. Here's story I wrote about his passing: https://t.co/ihrssxF6L3
— Larry Mayer (@LarryMayer) October 5, 2023
I was fortunate to see Dick Butkus a few weeks ago at the #Bears season opener. Here's a picture I took of him and a few other legends you may recognize: pic.twitter.com/qRiIxvZDBG
— Larry Mayer (@LarryMayer) October 5, 2023
RIP to one of my favorites and an absolute legend 🙏💔 https://t.co/rmoK3WcXQ5
— Lauren Screeden (@lscreeden) October 5, 2023
Rest in peace to the meanest linebacker who ever played the game, but one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met. 🙏 My favorite conversation with Dick Butkus was off the record about never forgetting where you came from. He was a true example of humility.
— Lauren Screeden (@lscreeden) October 6, 2023
You will be missed 5️⃣1️⃣. pic.twitter.com/D6VwOkUXKP
In Chicago, Dick Butkus was football. Thinking of his family today, and all the Bears fans who loved watching one of the best to ever play the game. https://t.co/XR5ZA2CtLU
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) October 6, 2023
Dick Butkus wasn’t just one of the greatest football players to ever play the game, he was a remarkable man. He 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's… pic.twitter.com/dzKa8n5p7x
— Jarrett Payton (@paytonsun) October 5, 2023
Dick Butkus struck fear into the heart of everyone he played against
— GNSportsTV (@GNSportsTV) October 6, 2023
Mike Ditka was teammates with Butkus on the #Bears and spoke to @paytonsun about how special #51 was
"The toughest son of a b**** on the earth"
More on Butkus: https://t.co/1EF10YjBUe pic.twitter.com/r80GZrEdwr
Illinois Football sends its condolence and thoughts to the Butkus family after the passing of Fighting Illini legend Dick Butkus.#Illini // #HTTO // #famILLy pic.twitter.com/b7Mwhh2NSd
— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) October 5, 2023
Sending our condolences to the family, friends and fans of legendary Hall of Famer, Dick Butkus.
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) October 5, 2023
He will be greatly missed. pic.twitter.com/TVSAWTPxu0
One of the greatest linebackers of all-time Dick Butkus has passed away at the age of 80.
— Notre Dame Fighting Irish (@Insidetheirish) October 5, 2023
His award has been won by three former Notre Dame players.
Butkus Award Winning LBs:
- Manti Te’o (2012)
- Jaylon Smith (2015)
- Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (2020)
May he Rest In Peace as we… pic.twitter.com/aF0b0jBxAd
Thinking of the Butkus family tonight 🧡 https://t.co/8G9xFZxxbs
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) October 5, 2023
A legend of the game & part of what makes the NFL's oldest rivalry so special.
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) October 5, 2023
Sending our condolences to the family & friends of Dick Butkus & the entire @ChicagoBears organization 🙏 pic.twitter.com/dU7h8TtsWi
Our thoughts are with Dick Butkus’ family and everyone who has been impacted by his life and legacy. pic.twitter.com/yixCexxlQx
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) October 5, 2023
We are saddened to hear of the loss of Dick Butkus, a true NFL legend. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Butkus family and the Bears organization.
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) October 5, 2023
“He was a Chicago Bear if there ever was one.”
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 6, 2023
Coach Belichick on Dick Butkus. pic.twitter.com/3ASnxVgzJE
Dick was a football player personified. He played the game the way it’s supposed to be played. He will be missed by all the Chicago Bear family. RIP my friend!
— Jim McMahon (@JimMcMahon) October 6, 2023
pic.twitter.com/NhTVk083hY
🙏 THE STANDARD https://t.co/f2hiygFRSL
— Olin kreutz (@olin_kreutz) October 5, 2023
During this challenging time, I want the Butkus Family to know that my thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with them.Please find comfort in the cherished memories and the enduring influence Dick Butkus had on the world.
— Tommie Harris (@Tommieharris90) October 5, 2023
With deepest sympathy and warmest regards
Tommie Harris pic.twitter.com/TCdGWlBO5b
Condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr. Butkus. RIP to a Legend. 🙏🏿 https://t.co/FzwJEGP8hl
— Jerry Azumah (@JerryAzumah) October 5, 2023
— NFL (@NFL) October 5, 2023
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is saddened to share the news that the Class of 1979's @thedickbutkus has passed away at age 80. #HOFForever More: https://t.co/bT21jB05D1 pic.twitter.com/ER1xEc4XqR
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) October 6, 2023
Bears fans honor Dick Butkus in D.C. pic.twitter.com/97R9R8SwH1
— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) October 6, 2023
Rest in Peace to a Chicago Legend 💙🧡 pic.twitter.com/uN74A7gDqU
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) October 6, 2023
Legends are forever. RIP Dick Butkus. https://t.co/j3qCSlHkOS
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) October 5, 2023
A true Chicago legend. RIP Dick Butkus. https://t.co/84rFUl3ZON
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) October 6, 2023
Hall of Fame linebacker Dick Butkus has died at the age of 80, the Chicago Bears announced Thursday.
— ESPN (@espn) October 5, 2023
More: https://t.co/pgmyHYcT4r pic.twitter.com/fQ2pGOOW1U
The Bears paid tribute to Dick Butkus with a moment of silence before their game vs. the Commanders. pic.twitter.com/h3ppgEpOAg
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 6, 2023
We are saddened by the news of the passing of Dick Butkus at the age of 80.
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 5, 2023
He was a two-time unanimous All-American at Illinois and an inductee into both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame. pic.twitter.com/6f9AODn5El
NFL Hall of Famer and one of the hardest hitting linebackers I’ve ever seen in my lifetime, Dick Butkus, passed away today. May he rest in peace! Cookie and I are praying for his family and loved ones!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) October 5, 2023
One of the greatest linebackers of all time and one heck of guy. Chicago lost a legend. #dickbutkus pic.twitter.com/TBxOR2JNxD
— Fergie Jenkins (@fergieajenkins) October 5, 2023
Dick Butkus, one of the best and most intimidating defensive players in NFL history, has died, the Bears announced. He was 80. pic.twitter.com/ooul5XtIUN
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 5, 2023
A legend passes away. https://t.co/OYAg9IN9gH
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 5, 2023
No better way to honor the memory of Dick Butkus than to play like him. @payton_wilson21, the Butkus National Linebacker of the Month, is doing just that.#1Pack1Goal | #HTT pic.twitter.com/W4cHiGahtI
— NC State Football (@PackFootball) October 6, 2023
Nobody hit like Dick Butkus. Nobody before, nobody since. So it's fitting that has passing leaves us feeling like we've been hit by a canon ball. My tribute to the greatest MLB in history is here. 👇https://t.co/osco3J9oBk
— Dan Pompei (@danpompei) October 6, 2023
Nobody hit like Dick Butkus. Nobody before, nobody since. Given the evolution of the game he symbolized, it is safe to say nobody ever will again.@danpompei on the one and only No. 51. https://t.co/tQQo9Fzrel
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) October 5, 2023
As a Chicago kid, you grow up hearing about Dick Butkus. The old men had stories. Eventually, you got to see him on NFL Films and on YouTube.
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) October 5, 2023
At my Catholic grammar school in the city, the No. 51 was passed down by the players -- the best to the best. It was a tradition.
Dick Butkus was an absolute #Bears legend and was always gracious with me. RIP
— Patrick Finley (@patrickfinley) October 5, 2023
Ed O'Bradovich once said ""Just to hit people wasn't good enough. He loved to crush people."
— M@ (@MattSpiegel670) October 5, 2023
These Dick Butkus highlights are awe-inspiring. https://t.co/Xg8WzdsbH2
A legend on the field. And for a moment in my teenage years, the star of “Hang Time”—which I loved. What an amazing life he lived. https://t.co/6fph7yfRRA
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) October 5, 2023
I’m not sure a player anywhere better personified a team and a city better than Dick Butkus did the Bears and the city of Chicago. He WAS the Bears… he WAS Chicago. RIP https://t.co/nrUIm75T9v
— trey wingo (@wingoz) October 5, 2023
“Butkus instilled in his foes a raw, primal fear. And for some, the image of this swooping monster still terrifies…”
— Michele Steele (@MicheleSteele) October 5, 2023
RIP to an ILLINI and BEARS legend pic.twitter.com/IdqUR5NtPv
