Chicago Bears players will wear No. 51 patches on their jerseys for the remainder of the season to pay tribute to late Hall of Fame linebacker Dick Butkus.
The patch is one of several ways the Bears plan to honor Butkus, who died in his sleep at age 80 last week at his home in Malibu, Calif.
At Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field, the Bears will have an on-field display of his retired No. 51 jersey. A Butkus memorial will sit at the stadium’s South Courtyard by Gate 1, a space where fans can see his Pro Football Hall of Fame bust and receive a commemorative button. A locker-room display with a Butkus jersey will be at Gate 7.
The Bears plan to have several in-game tributes, including airing old interviews with Butkus, who was a Chicago native, University of Illinois alumnus and five-time first-team All-Pro over his nine seasons with the Bears. Fans can record their own tributes to Butkus at chicagobears.com.
Memories of Butkus have been abundant in the week since his death, and his family released a statement 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 said. “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’ family is also participating in tributes Sunday.
Before the game, Matt Butkus, the youngest son of Dick, is hosting a tailgate at the Billy Goat Tavern at Navy Pier that will honor his father.
Matt Butkus and the group Team Butkus started the tailgates in 2021 and have held several since, with the proceeds going to the Butkus Foundation and local charities. Sunday’s tailgate also will benefit 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,” said 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 includes food and drink from 8:30-11:30 a.m. for $51, with an additional charge if fans want to take a water taxi from Navy Pier to Soldier Field. Matt is expected to attend and say a few words about his father, said McRaith, who noted the Bears gave tickets to the game to the family and friends of Team Butkus.
Matt called the event, which can be found at teambutkus.com, a “celebration of life” on his father’s social media account and said it “would be great to hear your stories.”
Charitable endeavors were a big part of the life of Dick Butkus through his foundation, including the “I Play Clean” campaign that educates athletes about the dangers of performance-enhancing drugs. The foundation also gives out the Butkus Award to the top linebackers in high school, college and the NFL.
The 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 a very important part for Dick Butkus, was that these people use their celebrity in the right way and always give back to the community. He was excited that Matt was doing this. And he told Matt, ‘Raising money for people, that’s a great thing.’”
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