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Bears great Dick Butkus died of stroke

Related Topics: Dick Butkus, Chicago Bears

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Dick Butkus watches Illinois in 2019.

Bears great Dick Butkus’ death certificate said he died of a stroke last month, per TMZ.

His occupation on the certificate was listed simply as “linebacker,” with his employer the NFL.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker died Oct. 5 at his home in Malibu, Calif., hours before the Bears began their “Thursday Night Football” game against the Commanders. They took the field for the following game wearing football-shaped patches with Butkus’ No. 51 on them.

Butkus was an eight-time Pro Bowl player and five-time all-pro during his nine-year career with the Bears from 1965-73.