Richard Marvin “Dick” Butkus, was born in Chicago,
Illinois, December 9, 1942. He graduated from the University of Illinois in
1964 where he was a two time All-American linebacker. A first round draft pick
of the Chicago Bears, Dick played for the Bears from 1965-1973, and was named All-Pro
linebacker seven times. Mr. Butkus was elected into the NFL "Football Hall
of Fame" at Canton, Ohio in 1979. Many football experts consider Butkus
the finest linebacker in the history of football. After his football career
Dick drifted into acting and has appeared in over 50 film and TV appearances
including one Euro-western “Cipolla Colt” (aka “Spaghetti Western”) (1976) with
Franco Nero. [Pictured above in black facing Franco Nero who we see from the
back.]
Butkus married Helen Essenberg his high school sweetheart
in 1963 while they were students at the University of Illinois. Together they
have three children: Ricky, Matt, and Nikki. On August 24, 2013, Butkus was
inducted into the National Lithuanian American Hall of Fame.
Dick formed the The Butkus Foundation to support many
charitable causes such as I Play Clean Campaign which addresses the issue of
steroids among high school athletes. The Dick Butkus Center for Cardiovascular
Wellness a nonprofit organization in Orange County, California with a cardiac
screening program that uses specialized testing to help identify those at risk
of heart disease and sudden cardiac death and The Butkus Award, instituted in
1985, is one of the elite individual honors in college football and is awarded
to the best linebacker in college football on a yearly basis.
BUTKUS, Dick (Richard
Marvin Butkus) [12/9/1942, Chicago,
Illinois, U.S.A. - ] – professional
football player Chicago Bears [1965-1973], member of the NFL Football Hall of
Fame [1979], College Football Hall of Fame [1983], actor, married to Helen
Essenberg (1963-
), father Nicole
Butkus Parish [1966- ], cameraman
Richard Marvin Butkus Jr. [1968- ],
Matthew Butkus [1971- ], founded the
The Butkus Foundation.
Spaghetti Western – 1976
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