Dick Butkus

• "When they say all-pro middle linebacker, I want them to mean Butkus."
• Inducted on July 28th, 1979
• Had a spectacular college career at the University of Illinois where he was a two-time All American, American Football Coaches Association Player of the Year and a Heisman finalist.
• Played in the Chicago All-Star game where he made 35 tackles, blocked a field goal and was second in MVP votes
  

• Hall of Famer Bill George, then a middle linebacker with the Bears said this when Butkus joined the team: The minute that guy walked into camp, I started packing my gear. There was no way he wasn't going to be great"
• It has been said that Butkus never made the same mistake twice
• AP All-Middle Linebacker his rookie year
• All-NFL seven of nine seasons, Pro Bowl in eight of nine
  
• 47 takeaways - a Chicago Bears record
• Recovered 25 fumbles, an NFL record as of his retirement
• Had many nicknames: "The Maestro of Mayhem," "The Enforcer," "The Robot of Destruction," "The Animal"
• When he went on the field, Butkus would "manufacture things to make me mad"
• Running back MacArthur Lane of the Packers: "I'd rather go one on one with a grizzly bear. I pray that I can get up every time Butkus hits me"