This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 9/10/2006.
The Chicago Bears have often had one player who symbolized the team, usually a defensive player or a bruising fullback. Middle linebacker Dick Butkus was that player for nine seasons, from 1965 through 1973. Butkus grew up in Chicago and decided as a youngster that he wanted to be a professional football player. He did it without moving far from his home town. A consensus All-American as a center and linebacker at the University of Illinois in 1963 and 1964, he joined the Bears the following season and won the starting linebacker job from a perennial All-Pro, Bill George. At 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, Butkus was mobile enough to cover backs on pass patterns and to cover virtually the entire width of the field on running plays. He was an All-Pro seven times and played in eight Pro Bowls. During his NFL career, he intercepted 22 passes, returning them for 166 yards, and recovered 25 fumbles, including one for his only NFL touchdown. In the back neck of the jacket is the "Sand-Knit" manufacturer's tag with wash instructions. Attached below is a "SET 2" flag tag. Across the back of the jacket is "CHICAGO" in white on orange tackle twill. On the left sleeve of the jacket is player number "51" in the same tackle twill. The jacket is a very heavy wool material. The jacket shows wear and appears to have no alterations of any kind. An additional LOA will be provided.