Chicago Bears gamers will put on No. 51 patches on their jerseys for the rest of the season to pay tribute to late Hall of Fame linebacker Dick Butkus.
The patch is one among a number of methods the Bears plan to honor Butkus, who died in his sleep at age 80 final week at his residence in Malibu, Calif..
At Sunday’s sport in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field, the Bears may have an on-field show of his retired No. 51 jersey. A Butkus memorial will sit on the stadium’s South Courtyard by Gate 1, an area the place followers can see his Pro Football Hall of Fame bust and obtain a commemorative button. A locker-room show with a Butkus jersey can be at Gate 7.
The Bears plan to have a number of in-game tributes, together with airing previous interviews with Butkus, who was a Chicago native, University of Illinois alumnus and five-time first-team All-Pro over his 9 seasons with the Bears. Fans can file their very own tributes to Butkus at chicagobears.com.
Memories of Butkus have been considerable within the week since his loss of life, and his household launched a press release on his social media account Thursday.
“Dick lived an extraordinary life representing the heart and soul of Chicago, both on and off the field,” it stated. “We want to thank you all for the outpouring of support. All the messages, notes and memories you shared during this difficult time. Each has meant the world to us. Go Bears. Go Illini.”
Butkus’ household can also be taking part in tributes Sunday.
Before the sport, Matt Butkus, the youngest son of Dick, is internet hosting a tailgate on the Billy Goat Tavern at Navy Pier that can honor his father.
Matt Butkus and the group Team Butkus began the tailgates in 2021 and have held a number of since, with the proceeds going to the Butkus Foundation and native charities. Sunday’s tailgate additionally will profit the Illinois chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
“It’s a way for Matt to get involved in Chicago and give something back,” stated Patrick McRaith, the director of charitable outreach for the Butkus Foundation. “Matt said, ‘We’re tailgating anyway. Why don’t we tailgate and try to raise some money for nearby charities that are local to Chicago and go from there?’ ”
The tailgate contains foods and drinks from 8:30-11:30 a.m. for $51, with an extra cost if followers need to take a water taxi from Navy Pier to Soldier Field. Matt is anticipated to attend and say a couple of phrases about his father, stated McRaith, who famous the Bears gave tickets to the sport to the household and associates of Team Butkus.
Matt referred to as the occasion, which might be discovered at teambutkus.com, a “celebration of life” on his father’s social media account and stated it “would be great to hear your stories.”
Charitable endeavors have been an enormous a part of the lifetime of Dick Butkus by means of his basis, together with the “I Play Clean” marketing campaign that educates athletes in regards to the risks of performance-enhancing medicine. The basis additionally offers out the Butkus Award to the highest linebackers in highschool, school and the NFL.
The web site for that award reads: “When a player receives the Butkus Award he will know two things. First, he is recognized as the best of the best linebackers in America. Second, and in the long run most important, he will understand that this recognition brings a responsibility to serve others by giving back.”
Said McRaith: “That was an important half for Dick Butkus, was that these folks use their superstar in the suitable means and all the time give again to the group. He was excited that Matt was doing this. And he instructed Matt, ‘Raising money for people, that’s a fantastic factor.’
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Source: www.bostonherald.com