Dick Butkus

High school

CVS (Chicago Vocational High School)

College

University of Illinois

Pro team(s)

Chicago Bears

Hall of Fame

⭐ Pro Football Hall of Fame

Dick Butkus was born in Chicago's Roseland neighborhood and became one of the most ferocious middle linebackers in football history. After earning All-American honors at the University of Illinois, he was selected third overall by the Chicago Bears in the 1965 NFL Draft. In nine seasons (1965–1973), Butkus made eight Pro Bowls and was named to the NFL 1960s and 1970s All-Decade Teams. A brutal knee injury ended his career prematurely, but he is widely considered the gold standard for the linebacker position. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979.