Dick Butkus Chicago Bears Footballs
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Dick Butkus is a former football player, widely regarded as the greatest linebacker of his generation and
one of the best football players of all time. Butkus starred as a football player for the University of
Illinois and the Chicago Bears. He became a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979.
Butkus was drafted in the first round by both the Denver Broncos of the AFL and his hometown team,
the Chicago Bears of the NFL. He was selected to the Pro Bowl for 8 seasons, and was all-league six times.
In his rookie season, Butkus led the team in tackles, interceptions, forced fumbles,
and fumble recoveries and regularly led the team in these categories throughout his career.
Butkus recovered 25 fumbles in his career, an NFL record at the time of his retirement.
He was one of the most feared players of his era and even appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated
in 1970 with the caption "The Most Feared Man in the Game." He had one of his most productive seasons
in 1970 with 132 tackles, 84 assists, 3 INT and 2 fumble recoveries.
He was forced to retire after multiple knee injuries in 1973.
