“In Chicago, Dick Butkus was football!” Ex-President Barack Obama pays homage to the late Bears legend dubbing him as one of the best to ever play the game

Bears' legendary linebacker Dick Butkus passed away earlier this week at the age of 80.

“In Chicago, Dick Butkus was football!” Ex-President Barack Obama pays homage to the late Bears legend dubbing him as one of the best to ever play the game

Barack Obama (L) and Dick Butkus (R) (Credits: Imago)

Just a couple of days ago, the Chicago Bears‘ legendary linebacker Dick Butkus passed away at the age of 80 at his home in in Malibu, California. Many people including some former and current NFL players have paid their tributes to the linebacker. And now, former United States President and avid football fan Barack Obama has paid homage to the late football legend.

“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,” wrote Obama on the social media platform X, previously known as Twitter.

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Barack Obama, who used to live in Chicago, certainly knows a lot about Butkus and the Chicago-based football team. Butkus spent his entire NFL career in Chicago and was one of the best linebackers to ever step onto the field.

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Dick Butkus, 80, passed away while he was in his sleep at his home in Malibu. His family confirmed the news in a statement released by the Bears on their social media profile. Following Butkus’ death, the Bears remembered him as one of the most popular players in the franchise’s history. In addition, the Bears chairman George H. McCaskey praised Butkus and dubbed him as “Chicago’s son.”

“Dick was the ultimate Bear and one of the greatest players in NFL history,” McCaskey said in a statement. “He was Chicago’s son. He exuded what our great city is about and, not coincidently, what George Halas looked for in a player: toughness, smarts, instincts, passion, and leadership.”  (H/T: Chicagobears.com)

Besides, many NFL players, including the Dallas Cowboys All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons and the former Bears LB Brian Urlacher, also paid tribute to the late Bears legend.

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Dick Butkus had a remarkable 9-year career in the NFL

The former Bears linebacker Dick Butkus, who recently passed away at the age of 80 had a remarkable career in the NFL that spanned almost a decade. Butkus spent his entire career with the Bears before retiring at the age of 31.

Dick Butkus
Dick Butkus (Via SI)

In his 9-year long career, Butkus registered 8 Pro Bowl seasons and was named to the first-team All-Pro squad 5 times. The talented linebacker was forced to retire at the young age of 31 due to a knee injury.

As a result of his accomplishments on the field, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a player in 1979, his first year of eligibility. Following his retirement, he also served as a head coach for a high school team for a short period.

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