NFL Twitter mourns the loss of Bears legend Dick Butkus

The NFL world is mourning the loss of Chicago Bears legend Dick Butkus, who passed away Thursday at the age of 80.

Butkus is considered one of the greatest Bears players and one of the best linebackers in NFL history. Butkus was drafted third overall by the Bears in 1965, alongside fellow Bears and NFL great Gale Sayers.

Butkus spent his entire career with the Bears from 1965-1973, where he established himself as one of the best to ever play linebacker. Butkus was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979, his first year of eligibility. He’s a five-time First-Team All-Pro, eight-time Pro Bowler, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, a member of the 1960s and 1970s All-Decade Team and the list goes on.

As you can imagine, Bears fans are devastated with Butkus’ passing, which comes on the same day that Chicago faces the Washington Commanders on Thuesday Night Football.

Now, Bears fans are hoping the team pulls off a win — and ends a 14-game losing streak — in honor of arguably the greatest linebacker in NFL history.

Dick Butkus was such a badass, man. RIP to An absolute #Bears and NFL legend.

Here is not only one of my favorite Butkus pictures, but Bears picture of all time. pic.twitter.com/VvJpXfjJns

— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) October 5, 2023

I’m absolutely heartbroken. Had the privilege to interview Butkus on a couple of occasions and just talk ball. It was the greatest honor of my career. RIP. https://t.co/NEeyC5VgIl

— Alyssa Barbieri (@AlyssaBarbieri) October 5, 2023

I never saw Dick Butkus play but dad did and I grew up hearing the tales of his play. He was must see football.#DaBears

— Todd Welter (@toddjdub) October 5, 2023

I never got to see Dick Butkus play. But I’ve watched his highlights several times. Great man. Hilarious on Twitter. Truly a legend.

Chicago Bears legend. NFL legend. One of the best ever.

This game tonight means nothing but man would it be cool to get a win in his honor.

— Dave (@dave_bfr) October 5, 2023

Illinois football has retired only two jersey numbers ever: Dick Butkus’s 50 and Red Grange’s 77.

Butkus set the standard incredibly high. A true legend of the game.

RIP

— Sean Hammond (@sean_hammond) October 5, 2023

So sad to hear the news about Dick Butkus. He was just interviewed on the field during the season opener & was full of his usual feistiness, talking about kicking the Packers’ asses.

A legendary player, so funny & multi-talented. He’ll be so missed. Thoughts are with his family.

— Sarah Spain (@SarahSpain) October 5, 2023

Dick Butkus is one of the best defensive players in NFL history, and someone who was cherished throughout generations of my family.

He set the standard of being a Bear, being tough and embracing the elements in a city like Chicago.

May he fly high and watch over us 🐻🙏#Bears

— Chris Maltby (@ChrisMaltbyBD) October 5, 2023

Dick Butkus was the gold standard. Anybody who got to interview him left smiling. Chicago legend forever and always. RIP 51.

— Mark Carman (@thecarm) October 5, 2023

the late defense end Deacon jones once said of Dick Butkus “was a well-conditioned animal, and every time he hit you, he tried to put you in the cemetery, not a hospital.” RIP Legend pic.twitter.com/5w0NTygC5U

— Jake Faust (@civilwarbuff20) October 5, 2023

Dick Butkus has passed away at the age of 80.

One of the greatest LBs to ever do it. Rest in peace, you left an impact on Football forever. 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/1FlfLtHz2o

— College Football Report (@CFBRep) October 5, 2023

RIP DICK BUTKUS

The meanest LB to ever play the game and one of the GOATS.

Hopefully the Bears can pull out a W for him tonight 🙏🏼💙🧡 pic.twitter.com/4yDJpI4YqW

— Lerrato 🐻⬇️ (@DaBearsHateMe) October 5, 2023

NFL Hall of Famer and one of the hardest hitting linebackers I’ve ever seen in my lifetime, Dick Butkus, passed away today. May he rest in peace! Cookie and I are praying for his family and loved ones!

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) October 5, 2023

Dick Butkus was the epitome of all-time football guy. Was an amazing person too. Big loss for a guy built as tough as they come. RIP.

— Ryan McGuffey (@RyanMcGuffey) October 5, 2023

RIP Dick Butkus……

There will never be another mythical figure in NFL history like Dick Butkus…..

He was a true warrior in every way and the epitome of what Chicago was all about as a city pic.twitter.com/gm9dRFJjvr

— PolyesterPalace (@PolyesterPalace) October 5, 2023

I was standing on the sideline just before the commemoration of his statue being unveiled and snapped this photo.

I walked over to shake his bear-paw of a hand (it was MASSIVE) when he introduced himself and said…

“I hope you got my good side.”

RIP Dick Butkus. A legend. pic.twitter.com/9lWBRbuVDM

— Brad Repplinger (@TCRBrad) October 5, 2023

Well there’s another nut punch in a Bears season with a lot of them already. Dick Butkus will always be one of the real icons of the game of football and of the Bears. https://t.co/cCVb4ZrvPT

— JustJeff (@TheJeffSchlegel) October 5, 2023

RIP Dick Butkus. The greatest linebacker of all time. When I played football i wore the number 51 for 9 years because of you. Rest in peace legend.

— Right-Wing Ronin (@WingRonin) October 5, 2023

Well my night is ruined. Really devastated to hear of the passing of Dick Butkus. A great man and Bears legend. He deserved to enjoy so much more success with the Bears as a player and huge fan after his retirement. God bless you, Dick. God’s defense just improved immensely.

— The Uman ♱ 🇵🇱 (@Uman85) October 5, 2023

Chicago Bears legend Dick Butkus passed away at the age of 80.

It’s almost eerie to get the announcement just two hours before the Bears game starts, but he is one of those larger than life figures in Chicago.

RIP to one of the true Chicago icons who destroyed the Packers. pic.twitter.com/V9aEn94zRt

— X (Formerly Known As Numbersmuncher) (@NumbersMuncher) October 5, 2023

dick butkus was the consummate football player. a gruff intimidator who personified what it meant to play for the bears on the field, and who had a heart of sympathetic gold off of it. a legend in every sense of the word. rest in peace, sir

— @robertzeglinski.bsky.social (@RobertZeglinski) October 5, 2023

I got more emotional about the Dick Butkus news than I probably *should* have. But this one hurt. I have several signed pieces of Butkus memorabilia. He, along with Gale Sayers, was my father’s favorite Bear / the reason he became a Bears fan. Always appreciated how…

— Mikey “Beardown” Cuz (@BeardownCuz) October 5, 2023

Dick Butkus was a Bear through and through. Even though he was before my time, he was always there and supported this franchise no matter what, even up until last month.

Win this for 51 @ChicagoBears pic.twitter.com/d0ESKplZDQ

— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) October 5, 2023

Story originally appeared on Bears Wire