So I was on a plane most of yesterday, after a wonderful two day event in Alabama. The Sisters In Crime group headed up Murder In The Magic City in Birmingham ( great authors, great crowd), and a big signing and presentation in Wetumpka. Well, I never thought I’d ever visit there either, but 150 people showed up and we had a great party and signing! That slogan “They do it right in Wetumpka”…it’s right on. And if it’s not a slogan, it should be.
So, I get home ( wherever that may be) and I just glanced at C.R.’s Blog. Just glanced at it, but I am going to read it much more carefully when I’m finished with my late blog. I want to read it, because I too miss Pro Football. A big letdown after the SuperBowl. And I too miss one of the all time greats.
At Illinois, Butkus played center and linebacker from 1962 through 1964. Butkus was twice a unanimous All-American, in 1963 and 1964. Butkus won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football in 1963 as the Big Ten Most Valuable Player, and was named the American Football Coaches Association Player of the Year in 1964. Butkus also finished sixth in Heisman Trophy balloting in 1963, and third in 1964, a remarkable achievement given his position.
After his collegiate career, Butkus continued to receive recognition for his play. Butkus was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983, and is one of only two players to have a uniform number (#50) retired by the University of Illinois (the other being Harold “Red” Grange). Butkus was also named to the Walter Camp All-Century team in 1990, and was named as the sixth-best college football player ever by College Football News in 2000. As perhaps the ultimate tribute to his excellence, in 1985 the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando, Florida created an award in his name. The Dick Butkus Award is given annually to the most outstanding linebacker in college football. In 2007, Butkus was ranked #19 on ESPN’s Top 25 Players In College Football History list.
Butkus was drafted in the first round by his hometown team, the Chicago Bears. In Chicago, Butkus became known for wreaking havoc on the opponent’s backfield. 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 was forced to retire after multiple knee injuries in 1973.
He once said that his goal was to tear off an opponent’s head. There is no record of him ever doing that.
Anyway, thanks C.R. for bringing up one of my favorite players. Now I want to go back and read your blog…see what YOU had to say about the great Dick Butkus.
