by Alec Gilmore
When Dick Butkus' passing was announced yesterday, there was already a sense of absence felt by many. The chicago bears, with whom butkus played all of his nine-year career in the national football league, saw their game last night take on a much greater significance. The illini will certainly feel it tonight in memorial stadium, which boasts his name proudly. But it goes beyond that.
Butkus is a proud product of Illinois. Every single game of football he ever played was for his home state, from high school at Chicago vocational, to here in champaign in college, to the NFL's storied bears franchise. Even after his retirement, one could never separate 'illinois' from Butkus.
On the football field, he perfectly embodied the 'monsters of the midway' moniker. 'Ferocious,' 'hard-hitting,' 'feared'--these words merely attempt to describe his impact in the game. His numerous accolades give some idea: he was a two-time consensus all-American in his three seasons with Illinois. He was key in the Illini's gritty 1964 rose bowl victory. He was regarded as one of the NFL's best defenders, year-in and year-out. His iconic no. 51 was retired by the bears, and his name is forever enshrined in the pro football hall of fame. Although he played several positions in his career, he was and very much still is considered the gold standard of a linebacker. Athletic director Josh Whitman called him "a giant in the land of giants." Coach Bielema named him as "one of [his] childhood idols...an amazing person, and loyal Illini."
His jersey is donned by alma today. His statue stands proud in front of memorial stadium. His legacy is unquestionable. And the human behind him is every bit as powerful. His right knee was a career-spanning example of his grit: he played through injury essentially from high school, until it forced his retirement in 1973. The way he saw it, he had a job to do. But that didn't compromise his sense of humor, visible in his tweets of recent years.
Anyone who knew Dick Butkus will tell you that he epitomized excellence. He loved the game, the game loved him, and he will be remembered for greatness. He will be remembered for grit. It's a somber occasion, no question, but his legacy will live on, be it on the football field, or in anyone he has inspired to be excellent. Because he certainly was.
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