Dick Butkus was an American footballer with a formidable presence, and he played as an outstanding linebacker. Born on December 9, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois, Butkus’s college career began at the University of Illinois, where he earned All-American honours. He immediately became one of the most dominant defensive players in NFL history. He was selected third overall by the Chicago Bears in the 1965 NFL Draft.
He spent his entire nine-year professional career with the Bears, during which he was awarded numerous honours, including eight Pro Bowl selections and induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979. Dick Butkus Net Worth is 10$ million in 2024.
Dick Butkus Net Worth 2024, Age, Height, Wife, Personal Information & Bio
| Name | Dick Butkus |
| Famous for | Playing Football |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of Birth | December 9, 1942 |
| Age | 80 years |
| Died in | October 5, 2023 |
| Occupation | Professional Football Player, Actor |
| Birthplace | Chicago, Illinois, US |
| Hometown | Chicago, Illinois, US |
| Nationality | American |
| Notable Work | Eight-time Pro Bowl selection Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee |
Dick Butkus Net Worth 2024
| Dick Butkus Net Worth 2024 | $10 Million |
| Income Source | Football and Acting |
Also Read: Rugby Player Nathan Player
Dick Butkus Educational Background
| School | Chicago Vocational High School |
| University | University of Illinois |
Dick Butkus attended Chicago Vocational High School, where he played football. He was a prominent figure in secular activities as he had a successful career in college life. After leaving high school, Dick Butkus took part in college football for the University of Illinois.
He spent his college tenure at the University of Illinois Fighting Illini (1962-1964), where he became an All-American during his final two seasons. Despite his popularity in football, Butkus attended school during his admission to the University of Illinois, engaging rather than playing football.
Dick Butkus Family Information
| Father Name | Don Btkus |
| Mother Name | Emma Butkus |
| Siblings | 8 |
| Marital Status | Married |
| wife | Hellen Essesnhart |
| Kids | RickyMattNikki |
On July 6 1963, Butkus married Helen Essenhart, and they had three kids: Ricky, Matt, and Nikki. Even his son Matt played football and participated in charity tournaments with his dad. Dick’s nephew Luke coached football in record time on Chicago’s Bears and, in addition, the Seahawks.
At the same time, even his grandson Ian played volleyball at UCLA. But he took a significant risk of playing football in his moderation. Therefore, he had several surgeries performed one after another, including a heart operation in 2001.
Unfortunately, Dick died peacefully at his home in Malibu, California on October 5 2023. He died aged eighty years old. A stroke took his life, along with other health issues like heart trouble. His death came right before a big football game, and there was a moment of silence to honour him.
About Dick Butkus Early Life
Somebody give me some pads and a QB to tackle. @chicagobears pic.twitter.com/DWPq1L3yv1
— Dick Butkus (@thedickbutkus) September 10, 2023
Dick Butkus was born in Chicago, the son of a Lithuanian immigrant father and a hard-working mother. He weighed over thirteen pounds when he was born, making him highly oversized for a newborn. Butkus was raised in Roseland and rooted for the Chicago Cardinals football team.
Butkus played several positions in high school: fullback, linebacker, punter, and kicker. However, linebacker was his best position, where he made 70% of the tackles for his team. As a junior, he was named the Chicago Sun-Times’sSun-Times’ Chicago high school player of the year.
That summer of 1960, Butkus played baseball for a local park district team and did most of the catching. According to one account, he batted in all five runs of his team in one game, including a home run. He had an older brother named Ron, who also played football. Ron Butkus played for three colleges and tried out for the Chicago Cardinals before quitting due to a knee injury.
About his Career in Football
We'll be hosting a Celebration of Life for Dick Butkus this Sunday before the game and at the game.
— Team Butkus (@team_butkus) October 12, 2023
When we started Team Butkus, our goal was to bring together the community through the spirit of Dick Butkus. We are looking to uphold just that.
RSVP @ https://t.co/Gsd0GTC8xn pic.twitter.com/tcUoliEffW
Dick Butkus has been a famous player in the history of American football, notably for the Chicago Bears in the NFL. Butkus was the third overall pick in the 1965 NFL Draft, selected by the Chicago Bears. He quickly showed why he would become the most dominant defensive player during this period.
Butkus played well even though he continued to be plagued with injuries. He even had preventive surgery on his knee in 1971 but made a considerable contribution to the Bears’ defence. The next year, Butkus raised even more of a fuss by accusing the Detroit Lions of malfeasance in his book “Stop-Action.” That aside, he continued to be a force on the field and received even more acclaim for his performance.
Unfortunately, his entire football career was characterized by knee-area injuries, and Butkus retired from the professional ranks in 1973. At any rate, his physical condition was very advanced by then, and he showed great ability and enthusiasm for the game until his retirement. He announced his retirement in May 1974.
Butkus retired from football and ventured into broadcasting and acting. He became a Colour commentator for NFL games and acted in television and films. However, Dick Butkus was deeply involved in charity work that focused on helping athletes and children.
Having been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979, Dick Butkus is still considered one of the greatest NFL linebackers ever.
Decades later, the way Butkus savagely performed in every game with an in-game Demeanour chock-full of hard-nosed toughness, skill, and tenacity provides the model inspiration for football players and fans worldwide. Though retiring from professional football decades ago, Butkus was and still is an influential figure in the sport.
About his Acting Career
Dick Butkus entered into a career in film and television after retiring from professional football. He may not have had as extensive a career in entertainment as he did in football, but he was still cast in many hit films and television series.
He starred as a supporting character and made guest appearances on various television programs, such as “My Two Dads,” “Mancuso, FBI,” “ALF,” and “Hang Time.” Most of these shows showed that he was cast to play negative characters. He then appeared in two TV movies, “Gas Brown and the Midnight Reaver” and “Johnny Dangerously,” and impressed his fans.
As an actor, Butkus portrayed characters in some films, including the 1974 classic football movie The Longest Yard, in which he was teamed with popular actor Burt Reynolds. He has also been seen in “Crimetime,” “Hamburger: The Motion Picture,” and “Brian’s Song,” among others. Overall, Butkus’s on-screen persona reflected his football life’s very rough and tough nature and physicality.
Though his entertainment career never quite took off to the same level as his football career, Butkus was able to use the venues of film and television to remain in front of audiences and continue Practising his craft from a much different angle than on the football field.
Dick Butkus Journey | YouTube
Some Interesting Facts about Dick Butkus
Here are some of the exciting facts about Dick Butkus-
- He was called the “Monster of Midway” because he played a very aggressive style of football.
- However, despite being named to eight Pro Bowls and earning selection to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1960s, his career was cut short by injuries.
- One of his most famous tackles ever happened in 1970 when his helmet flew off as he ‘hit’ Minnesota’s Ronnie Garvin.
- Butkus is considered to have innovated the linebacker position known as the “bullet,” so named because of his ability to rid himself of blockers and make plays from sideline to sideline.
- He had a severe pre-game ritual of vomiting from the nervous energy before every game.
- After retiring from the game in 1973, Butkus would become an actor, appearing on TV shows such as My Two Dads and movies like Freddie the Freeloader.
- Butkus appeared on TV, worked as a pitchman, and had his jersey number, fifty-one, retired by the Bears in 1994.
- In addition to being named to the NFL’s All-Time Anniversary team for its diamond jubilee year and getting into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in nineteen seventy-nine, he has also seen Dick Butkus Award be given every year, which recognises America’s top high school linebacker.
Was Dick Butkus married?
Yes, he married Hellen Essenhart, and she gave birth to their three kids: Ricky, Matt, and Nikki.
At what age did Dick Butkus die?
He died at the age of 80 years, and he also underwent several surgeries before dying.
In which television programs Dick Butkus made guest appearances?
He made guest appearances in various shows such as “My Two Dads,” “Mancuso,” “FBI,” “ALF,” and “Hang Time.”
What caused Dick Butkus’s death?
Dick Butkus died on October 5, 2023, due to a stroke, with underlying health problems including atrial fibrillation, atherosclerosis, and high cholesterol.
