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Dick Butkus Richard Marvin "Dick" Butkus (born December 9, 1942) is a former American football linebacker who played for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted in 1965 and is also widely regarded as one of the best and most durable linebackers of all time. Butkus played college football for the Fighting Illini at the University of Illinois. He became a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979. He played nine seasons in the NFL for the Chicago Bears. Billed at 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m), 245 lb (111 kg), he was considered one of the most feared and intimidating linebackers of his time, being named the most feared tackler of all time by NFL.com in 2009. Butkus played center and linebacker from 1962 through 1964 at the University of Illinois. He was twice a unanimous All-American, in 1963 and 1964. He won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football in 1963 as the Big Ten's Most Valuable Player, and was named the American Football Coaches Association Player of the Year in 196