Alma Mater sculptor honors late Dick Butkus

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) - Tributes continue to pour in for Dick Butkus.

On Friday morning, Alma Mater sculpture on the University of Illinois' campus was seen wearing Dick Butkus' jersey.

The middle linebacker for the Chicago Bears died Thursday at the age of 80, the team announced. According to a statement, Butkus' family confirmed that he died in his sleep at his home in Malibu, California.

Butkus was a first-team All-Pro five times and made the Pro Bowl in eight of his nine seasons before a knee injury forced him to retire at 31. He was the quintessential Monster of the Midway and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979, his first year of eligibility. He is still considered one of the greatest defensive players in league history.

"Dick Butkus was a fierce and passionate competitor who helped define the linebacker position as one of the NFL's all-time greats. Dick's intuition, toughness, and athleticism made him the model linebacker whose name will forever be linked to the position and the Chicago Bears," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. "We also remember Dick as a long-time advocate for former players, and players at all levels of the game."

He was a star linebacker, fullback, and kicker at Chicago Vocational High who went on to play at the University of Illinois. Born on Dec. 9, 1942, as the youngest of eight children, he grew up on the city's South Side as a fan of the Chicago Cardinals, the Bears' crosstown rivals.

Butkus is survived by his wife, Helen, and children Ricky, Matt and Nikki. Nephew Luke Butkus has coached in college and the NFL, including time with the Bears.