December 09

Richard Marvin Butkus's Birthday
 

Dick Butkus and Don Horn in Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay PackersChicago, ILDecember 15, 1968
 

Richard Marvin "Dick" Butkus definitely proved  Carl Sandburg characterization of Chicago as "City of the Big Shoulders" as prescient. The 6 foot 3 inch 245 lbs former Chicago Bear's linebacker for nine yearswas one of the most feared and intimidating linebackers of his time. The NFL has listed him as "the most feared tackler in NFL history."

According to Larry Schwartz in a report to ESPN, " It is possible that Dick Butkus was the meanest, nastiest, fiercest linebacker to ever put on a helmet. More than a quarter of a century after his retirement, there remains the Butkus image: the middle linebacker wrapping up a running back and viciously slamming him to the ground like an unwanted toy."

Dick was a two-time All-American line backer at the University of Illinois. Both the Denver Broncos of the American Football League and the Bears of the NFL drafted Butkus in the first round. Being a Chicago-born hometown hero, his fit into the Windy City team was a match made in Bears' heaven and in the hell of all of the other NFL teams. Butkus played in the Pro Bowl eight times in a career cut short to nine years by knee injuries.

Dick became a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979. On October 31, 1994,  he received what may have been his highest honor. At halftime of the Monday night game at Soldier Field against the Bears’ arch rivals, the Green Bay Packers, the Chicago Bears retired Dick Butkus’ jersey number. After retiring from football, Dick launched an acting career, primarily on TV. and  often paired with Bubba Smith in Miller Lite commercials.

For all of the newer generation of your football players who dream of following dick's career and playing for the Chicago bears, remember the old adage "You are what you eat" and enjoy some bear meat balls on Dick's birthday while you watch him emote in The Stepford Children (1987).

 

Bear Meat Balls

1. Mix meat, onion, jalapeño sauce, bread crumbs, and milk together .Form into balls. Brown in oil in frying pan.
2. Add flour and broth to make gravy and simmer for 1 hour

Serves 8 Packers fans or four Bears fans.

* A great source for bear meat is the Exotic Meat Market in Perris, CA 92571 (Toll Free 1-877-398-0141)