NFL legend Dick Butkus dies in Malibu at age 80

Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Dick Butkus, hailed as one of the greatest and most feared defensive players of all time playing for his hometown Chicago Bears, died Thursday at his home in Malibu.

The Chicago Bears posted a statement online from Butkus’ family, confirming “that football and entertainment legend Dick Butkus died peacefully in his sleep overnight at home in Malibu, California. The Butkus family is gathering with Dick’s wife, Helen. They appreciate your prayers and support.”

The website TMZ first reported the death, saying the 80-year-old Butkus was pronounced dead by paramedics who went to his home at 12:51 p.m. in response to a medical emergency call.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department did not immediately confirm Butkus’ death, but said paramedics responded around 1 p.m. to a home in the 3900 block of Villa Costera, but no patient was transported from the scene.

Bears Chairman George H. McCaskey issued a statement hailing Butkus as “the ultimate Bear” and “Chicago’s son.”

“Dick had a gruff manner, and maybe that kept some people from approaching him, but he actually had a soft touch,” McCaskey said. “His legacy of philanthropy included a mission of ridding performance enhancing drugs from sports and promoting heart health. His contributions to the game he loved will live forever and we are grateful he was able to be at our home opener this year to be celebrated one last time by his many fans.”

Born on the south side of Chicago as the youngest of nine children, Butkus decided in grade school he wanted to play football professionally, and he starred at Chicago Vocational High School and later became a standout linebacker for the University of Illinois. He helped lead the team to a Rose Bowl victory over Washington in the early 1960s.

Butkus played on both sides of the ball, playing as a center on offense. He finished third in voting for the Heisman Trophy in 1964, at the time the highest defensive vote-getter ever. His number 50 was retired by the University of Illinois.

He was drafted by the Bears in 1965 and had an immediate impact, recording 11 tackles in his first game — now wearing number 51.

His fierce style of play — known for forcing and recovering fumbles — made him a feared defensive force, anchoring a squad that became known as the Monsters of the Midway.

“When I went out on the field to warm up, I would manufacture things to make me mad,” he once said, according to his official biography. “If someone on the other team was laughing, I’d pretend he was laughing at me or the Bears. It always worked for me.”

Injuries suffered as the result of his relentless style of play cut his career short and he retired in 1973. He played in eight consecutive Pro Bowls and was named first-team All-NFL six times. The Bears later retired his number 51 jersey.

Following his playing career, he spent time as an analyst for CBS, but he became known to a whole new audience through his appearance in a variety of television ads, most notably in Miller Lite beer ads, regularly appearing alongside another former NFL defensive star, Bubba Smith.

Butkus also appeared in number of films including “Necessary Roughness” and “Any Given Sunday,” and in the TV series “My Two Dads” and “Hang Time.” In addition to quite a few television appearances starting in the 1970s, he also starred in the ESPN series “Bound for Glory,” following Butkus as he coached a high school football team for a season.

He was active on social media and even posted his week 5 NFL game picks earlier in the day Thursday.

He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of nearly six decades, Helen, and three children.

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