Dick Butkus, renowned Chicago Bears’ middle linebacker, exemplified exceptional determination throughout his nine-year career.
With a single-minded goal to excel, Butkus dominated the field right from his rookie season, contending only with teammate Gale Sayers for the NFL Rookie of the Year honors.
Recognized as first-team All-NFL six times, he also starred in eight consecutive Pro Bowls.
His career statistics reflect his fierce approach, recording 22 interceptions and 27 opponents’ fumble recoveries.
Butkus was known for his speed, agility, instinctive strength, leadership and intense passion for the game.
He once mentioned how he’d fuel his anger to enhance his performance.
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Unfortunately, a serious knee injury in 1970 led to his retirement in 1973, but his outstanding contribution earned him a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979.
Below are some of the most inspiring quotes by Dick Butkus.
Top 5 Dick Butkus Quotes
If we’re not on them, they go back to their old ways. ~ Dick Butkus.
The real reason for coming to Montour is my love and respect for football. ~ Dick Butkus.
My thing is trying to convince them they can win. ~ Dick Butkus.
Funny the orange juice just tastes a little bit sweeter this morning. ~ Dick Butkus.
If I were young, fast, healthy, and had a lot of money and my whole sex life ahead of me, I’d retire – like Secretariat. ~ Dick Butkus.
Best Dick Butkus Quotes
I’m not so mean. I wouldn’t ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately – unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something. ~ Dick Butkus.
I want to be recognized as the best-no doubt about it. When they say all-pro middle linebacker, I want them to mean Butkus! ~ Dick Butkus.
We’re a big check mark on everybody’s schedule. I told them it’s just another challenge; let’s go after it. ~ Dick Butkus.
When I played pro football, I never set out to hurt anyone deliberately – unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something. ~ Dick Butkus.
Famous Dick Butkus Quotes
Anything that happens that’s good, they think, Oh, it’s an accident, when is the roof caving in? You’ve got to get them out of that mental framework. ~ Dick Butkus.
If I was smart enough to be a doctor, I’d be a doctor. I ain’t, so I’m a football player. ~ Dick Butkus.
Few people get to earn a living at what they like to do and there are hazards in any profession. Football is something I was made for. I gave the game all I could for as long as I could. I guess my only regret was that my career was too short. ~ Dick Butkus.
I wouldn’t ever set out to hurt anyone deliberately unless it was, you know, important – like a league game or something. ~ Dick Butkus.
I worked hard at becoming a professional football player, just like society says you should. It said you had to be fierce. I was fierce. Tough. I was tough. ~ Dick Butkus.
Goodnight Chicago stay safe. ~ Dick Butkus.
The bottom line is that these athletes tend to be safer investments because they really value their marketing opportunities. They don’t make as much money as during their active careers. ~ Dick Butkus.
So these were the 15 top Dick Butkus quotes and sayings.
If you like these quotes and sayings, then you can also read my other posts on Joji quotes and The Time Keeper quotes.
