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Beautiful piece. I saw Butkus play often, but I didn't appreciate his approach until after he was retired. The award created by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando was appropriately named and bestowed.

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What a terrific eulogy. Having retired a year after I was born, I never got to see him play except through highlight films, but he, along with Lambert, Ham, and The Mad Stork, are my favorite linebackers of all time.

Doesn’t hurt that he played a funny role in Johnny Dangerously, either.

The next time I hear thunder, I’ll just assume it’s Butkus making a tackle.

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Another must-read.

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