RIP MR Butkus.
I have fond memories of watching him play whenever a 🐻 game was televised in our area. The little bit of football I played I tried to emulate how he played, hit hard and don’t let go until the whistle sounds.
I just wonder what type of monster he would be in the modern era with the nutritional knowledge, conditioning and health care available now.
IDK if he would be welcome in the soft game today.
When I was stationed at Chanute AFB in Illinois, we got to watch the Bears at the Service Club every Sunday. Butkus on the Defense, Gale Sayers on the offense. I loved it. until Sayers got hurt.
“IDK if he would be welcome in the soft game today.”
His game would be considered criminal today. Leading with the helmet, crack backs, blind side hits and blocks, head slapping and chop blocking were all normal parts of the game that are penalized today. It was a game of survival then and the pit, that area within three yards of the snap, was considered open season then which is where Butkus lived. He was the quintessential tough guy—strong, silent, and self-contained.
However, his game and the targeting of him shortened his career. During his years the passing game wasn’t near what it is today and running through the Bear defense meant right through him. And since you couldn’t take him straight up, the blocking schemes were creating opportunities for cracks and chops so it was a way of life for him. It took his legs. But it never took his heart as he played for years with the bad legs until he couldn’t go any longer. And the medical care, and drugs, they have today to lengthen a players career didn’t exist then. So repair wasn’t available and it just got worse. But that is what the game really is, and used to be. And when it was a game played by men for peanuts. They loved the game. The money was never there even though they earned it far more than today’s players do.
wy69