Legendary Bears linebacker Dick Butkus, 80, dies Hall of Fame linebacker Dick Butkus, a vicious tackler who made the Pro Bowl in eight of his nine seasons with the Bears, has died at the age of 80.

Dick Butkus, Chicago Bears’ Fearsome Hall of Fame Linebacker, Dies at 80 He was both hard hitting against the run and fleet-footed in foiling pass plays in his eight seasons with the Chicago Bears. He later took up acting.