‘There Will Never Be a Greater Legend’: ESPN’s Mike Greenberg Honors the Career of Late Chicago Bears Legend Dick Butkus
ESPN’s Mike Greenberg on Friday gave a thoughtful tribute to Chicago Bears legend Dick Butkus, whose death was announced hours before the team took on the Washington Commanders on Thursday night.
Butkus, 80, died peacefully in his sleep overnight, his family announced Thursday. The five-time All-Pro, known for his intimidating presence on the field, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979.
On Friday’s episode of Greeny, Greenberg explained why Butkus is so revered as a sports icon.
“If you asked me to name the greatest legend in the long and storied and glorious history of professional football — this country’s greatest passion — it was Dick Butkus,” Greenberg said. “Dick Butkus was a man whose name inspired genuine fear in the hearts and souls of the toughest people in the world. Football players genuinely quaked in his presence. That’s the way he was portrayed and that’s the way he was.”
Butkus played just nine seasons in the NFL — all with the Bears — but still leads the franchise in fumble recoveries with 25. He’s also second all-time in takeaways with 47.
Greenberg expressed regret that he never met Butkus, but said fellow Bears great Mike Ditka perfectly illustrated how much of a menace he was in his playing days.
“I’ve never met a tougher person in my life than Mike Ditka,” Greenberg said. “I’ve had any number of conversations with Mike Ditka over the years about Dick Butkus; and when I tell you Mike Ditka — who fears nothing — will tell you he was scared to death of Butkus. They would go up against each other in practice. He said, ‘I’m not going anywhere near that guy.’ Dick Butkus at practice would bite your face off if your facemask wasn’t on right.”
In a tweet honoring Butkus, Former President Barack Obama simply said, “Dick Butkus was football.” Greenberg shared that sentiment.
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
“Football’s about a bunch of things,” Greenberg said. “These days, it’s a lot about numbers and it’s a lot about the glitz and the glamour; but at its core, football is a gladiator sport. Football is about how tough you are and how tough the guy opposing you is, and who’s gonna be the toughest on this day, on this night. Who’s gonna walk off this field and who’s gonna have to be carried off it.
“And no one ever epitomized that like Dick Butkus.”
Watch above via ESPN.
