The GOAT of Mike linebackers.

IMO the Terror of the Midway. I played Mike LB in High School, and revered Dick Butkus and his take-no-prisoners approach to defeating blocks and tackling the hapless running back who had the temerity to come into Dick's gaps.

Why, the very name evokes violence of a carnal nature. I remember a pic from that era, I think in Life magazine. Butkus was sitting on the sidelines, mud and blood-spattered, a couple of fingers broken and taped up, still with his helmet on, and his visage one of a berserker ready to commit more mayhem.

Dick Butkus was a Gladiator of the Gridiron.

May he RIP. There won't be another like him.