RIP - Dick Butkus

Dick Butkus, the standard by which every middle linebacker ever since has been measured, passed away on October 5, 2023 at age 80.

Butkus was one of the Bears' two 1st-round picks in 1965 (along with Gale Sayers), and was their starting middle linebacker from 1965 to 1973, starting every one of the 119 games he played during that span. (He missed 1 game in each of 1968 and 1969, and 5 games in 1973, all due to injury.) 

 

He was the 1965 Rookie of the Year runner up (behind his teammate Sayers), and made the Pro Bowl every season but the injury-shortened 1973.

 

After his playing career, Butkus appeared in several movies, and notably in Miller Lite TV commercials with other athletes. He also broadcast Bears' games.  

 

Chicago Bears obituary 

 

CNN obituary 

   

RIP - Jim Brown

Jim Brown, often mentioned as the greatest NFL player ever, passed away on May 18, 2023 at age 87.

Brown played for 9 seasons (1957-65) and was named to the Pro Bowl every season. He also led the NFL in rushing 8 times. 

 

To this day, he is the only back to average more than 100 yards per game over his entire career. 

 

ClevelandBrowns.com obituary 

 

ESPN obituary 

  

RIP - 2022

Players from the 1965-1975 era that passed away in 2022:

Also Redskins' kicker Curt Knight.

 

 

See: Baseball deaths in 2022 

 

RIP - 2021

Players from the 1965-1975 era that passed away in 2021:

 

Also: Baseball deaths in 2021 

 

RIP - 2020

Players from the 1965-1975 era that passed away in 2020:

The Packers and Dolphins were especially hard-hit. 

 Also: Baseball deaths in 2020