NFL Legend Dick Butkus Dead At 80

NFL legend Dick Butkus — one of many best linebackers of all time — has died, TMZ Sports activities has discovered. He was 80 years outdated.

Our sources inform us … paramedics responded to a name for a medical emergency at Butkus’ residence in Malibu at 12:51 PM. He was pronounced lifeless on the scene.

We’re informed somebody went to test on Butkus at his house on Thursday … and he was discovered unresponsive.

Butkus is among the many most intimidating gamers to ever step onto a soccer subject — coming in at 6’3″, 245 kilos, he was a defensive standout on the College of Illinois earlier than becoming a member of his hometown Chicago Bears in 1965 … going No. 3 general within the NFL Draft.

He performed his total skilled profession with the Bears from 1965 to 1973 … racking up each particular person award possible — six All-NFL choices, two Defensive Participant of the Yr honors and eight Professional Bowls.

Butkus earned many nicknames because of his fashion of play .. together with The Maestro of Mayhem, The Enforcer, The Animal and The Robotic of Destruction.

Butkus was named to the league’s All-Decade groups within the ’60s and ’70s … in addition to the seventy fifth and a hundredth Anniversary groups.

Butkus — whose profession was shortened because of accidents — had 1,020 tackles, 22 interceptions and 27 fumble recoveries over the span of 9 seasons. He was enshrined into the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame in 1979, his first yr of eligibility.

In 1985, the Butkus Award was established to honor the highest linebackers at the highschool, school {and professional} ranges.

The Bears retired his No. 51 jersey in 1994.

Off the sector, Butkus was identified for starring in commercials for Miller Lite, Prestone, Schick and Visa … in addition to dozens of movies and TV exhibits, together with “Any Given Sunday,” “Grasp Time,” and “The Final Boy Scout.” He was additionally an analyst for CBS.

Butkus continued to comply with the NFL in retirement — actually, he posted his weekly picks on his Instagram simply hours in the past.

Butkus is survived by his spouse, Helen, and three youngsters.