CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) — Following the passing of Fighting Illini all-time great Dick Butkus, the Illinois football team plans to honor his life during tonight's game against Nebraska. The game kicks off at 7 p.m. CT at Memorial Stadium on FS1.
According to a statement released by the Chicago Bears, Butkus' family confirmed that he died in his sleep at his home in Malibu, California this past Thursday.
Fans attending tonight's game will see a number of tributes, including:
- A moment of silence prior to the national anthem
- A video tribute at the beginning of halftime
- Photos and videos shown on the videoboard throughout the game
- Helmet stickers for the Fighting Illini team
- Illinois staff in Butkus shirts
- 50 yard line numbers outlined in orange
- Memorial Stadium columns lit in blue
Fans are also encouraged to visit the Dick Butkus statue on Fourth Street outside of the Smith Center to leave flowers in his honor.
During his time at Illinois, Butkus played center on offense and linebacker on defense for Coach Pete Elliott, leading the Fighting Illini to the 1963 Big Ten title and a Rose Bowl victory over Washington.
FILE - Illinois' Dick Butkus, top, and Rich Callaghan, bottom, try to tackle Wisconsin quarterback Ron Vanderkelen (15) during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Nov. 17, 1962, in Champaign, Ill. Butkus, a fearsome middle linebacker for the Chicago Bears, has died, the team announced Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. He was 80. According to a statement released by the team, Butkus' family confirmed that he died in his sleep overnight at his home in Malibu, Calif. (AP Photo/Larry Stoddard, File)
A member of both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame, Butkus was a two-time consensus All-American, three-time All-Big Ten selection, and was named the 1963 Silver Football Award winner as the Big Ten's Most Valuable Player. He finished third in the 1964 Heisman Trophy balloting before going on to a nine-year Hall of Fame career with the NFL's Chicago Bears that included six All-Pro selections.
Butkus finished his Illinois career with 374 tackles. His 145 stops in 1963 stood as the school record until 1976. His Illinois jersey, No. 50, was retired in 1986 and is displayed on the top of the Memorial Stadium press box.
Copyright 2023. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
