Football star Dick Butkus recently passed away. His family, including his wife of six decades, announced the news of his death and how he took his last breath.
Multiple sources reportedly revealed that paramedics responded to a call for a patient in cardiac arrest at Butkus’ home at 12:51 p.m. on October 5, 2023.
Someone reportedly went to check up on him at his residence and discovered the sports star unresponsive. The Chicago Bears star was pronounced dead at the scene. Butkus “died peacefully” in his sleep at his home in Malibu, California, at 80 years old. His loved ones released a statement saying:
“The Butkus family is gathering with Dick’s wife Helen. They appreciate your prayers and support.”
Meanwhile, his former team, the Chicago Bears, also released a statement following his passing that read: “Dick was the ultimate Bear and one of the greatest players in NFL history. […] “He refused to accept anything less than the best from himself or from his teammates.”
Butkus was a legendary linebacker for the Chicago Bears. He began playing football as a defensive standout at the University of Illinois before joining his home team, the Bears, in 1965.
He played for the team his entire professional career for nine years until he retired in 1973. Butkus had won several awards, including eight Pro Bowls, six All-NFL selections, and two Defensive Player of the Year honors.
The Chicago native’s career sadly ended due to injuries. He was later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979, his first year of eligibility. The Bears retired his No. 51 jersey in 1994.
Butkus Had a Heart Condition
In over two decades since his retirement, Butkus discovered he had a severe heart condition after a friend suggested he try the new cutting-edge heart scan.
In a November 2012 interview, Butkus admitted that after leaving the sport, he hardly went for medical checkups like he usually did when he was still playing.
Once he took his pal’s advice, he was helped by Dr. Lawrence J. Santora, who had devastating news for him. Dr. Santora described the former athlete’s scan as “the worst of just anybody’s I’d seen.”
Butkus was told he had “blockages,” and he underwent an angiogram, and the following day, he had a “five-way bypass.” The Hall of Famer candidly said:
“What was baffling about it was that I didn’t have any signs. So, [the scan] really saved my life.”
Following the success of his life-saving surgery, Butkus founded the Dick Butkus Center for Cardiovascular Wellness in Orange County. The non-profit center was established to screen for significant heart disease risk factors.
Its main goal is to provide access to healthcare technologies to those who cannot afford them – and offer them at a low cost, said Dr. Santora, adding the center covers the expenses. As for Butkus, the legendary star admitted that he thought he was healthy until he did the scan, which changed his life.
Notably, Butkus’ last public appearance was in October 2022 at the Team Butkus Tailgate event in Soldier Field, in his home state. The celebrated former football player was taped taking pictures with fans using a cane.
Being an all-time great in his field, Butkus was even recognized by actor Sylvester Stallone, who named his on-screen dog Butkus in the iconic film, “Rocky.” He commented about the naming of the pet after him, saying:
“It’s a compliment, I guess. To me, it’s somebody recognizes what I was trying to do.”
Like the movie star Stallone, Butkus was also an actor off the field and had appeared in many TV shows and films, including “Hang Time,” “Any Given Sunday,” and “The Last Boy Scout.” The renowned star also landed a gig a commentator for CBS Sports.
Butkus is survived by his wife, Helen Essenhart, and their three children, Matt, Richard, and Nikki Butkus. Essenhart was the NFL star’s high school sweetheart. The couple wed while studying at the University of Illinois in July 1963 and were married for 60 years.
