ESPN’s Mike Greenberg on Friday gave a considerate tribute to Chicago Bears legend Dick Butkus, whose death used to be announced hours prior to the crew took on the Washington Commanders on Thursday evening.

Butkus, 80, died peacefully in his sleep overnight, his family introduced Thursday. The five-time All-Pro, known for his intimidating presence on the sphere, was inducted into the Pro Football Corridor of Repute in 1979.

On Friday’s episode of Greeny, Greenberg defined why Butkus is so revered as a sports icon.

“In the event you requested me to name the greatest legend within the lengthy and storied and glorious history of professional soccer — this country’s greatest passion — it used to be Dick Butkus,” Greenberg stated. “Dick Butkus used to be a person whose title inspired genuine fear within the hearts and souls of the hardest folks on the earth. Soccer gamers really quaked in his presence. That’s the way in which he used to be portrayed and that’s the way he was.”

Butkus performed just nine seasons within the NFL — all with the Bears — however nonetheless leads the franchise in fumble recoveries with 25. He’s also 2d all-time in takeaways with forty seven.

Greenberg expressed regret that he by no means met Butkus, however stated fellow Bears great Mike Ditka completely illustrated how so much of a risk he was in his taking part in days.

“I’ve never met a more challenging particular person in my lifestyles than Mike Ditka,” Greenberg mentioned. “I’ve had any number of conversations with Mike Ditka through the years about Dick Butkus; and after I inform you Mike Ditka — who fears nothing — will inform you he used to be scared to loss of life of Butkus. They would go up against each and every different in observe. He said, ‘I’m now not going any place close to that guy.’ Dick Butkus at observe would chew your face off if your facemask wasn’t on proper.”

In a tweet honoring Butkus, Former President Barack Obama simply stated, “Dick Butkus was soccer.” Greenberg shared that sentiment.

In Chicago, Dick Butkus used to be soccer. Thinking of his domestic lately, and the entire Bears fanatics who loved observing one of the most best possible to ever play the sport. https://t.co/XR5ZA2CtLU

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) October 6, 2023

“Soccer’s a couple of bunch of issues,” Greenberg said. “At the present time, it’s rather a lot about numbers and it’s a lot in regards to the glitz and the glamour; however at its core, soccer is a gladiator game. Soccer is about how tricky you’re and the way tough the man opposing you is, and who’s gonna be the hardest on at the present time, on this night time. Who’s gonna stroll off this container and who’s gonna have to be carried off it.

“And no one ever epitomized that like Dick Butkus.”

Watch above via ESPN.

The submit ‘There Will Never Be a Higher Legend’: ESPN’s Mike Greenberg Honors the Occupation of Late Chicago Bears Legend Dick Butkus first regarded on Mediaite.