Dick Butkus sends congratulatory message to Micah Parsons for winning top NFL linebacker award

Dallas Cowboys rookie linebacker Micah Parsons is expected to make a pretty big haul this season in NFL awards. And he has already started to collect on his bounty, receiving one of the most prestigious awards for an NFL linebacker, the Dick Butkus Award. The Dick Butkus trophy is given out every year to the best linebacker in the NFL that season, and after the 2021 season, Parsons’ performance stood out head and shoulders above the rest.

On Tuesday, the award’s namesake legendary Chicago Bears linebacker Dick Butkus congratulated the Cowboys superstar rookie on his achievement.

“Big shout out to @MicahhParsons11 this years Butkus award winner. He had a heck of a season and joins elite company. Kick ass in the pro bowl,” wrote Butkus via Twitter.

Although his first NFL season didn’t finish the way he would’ve liked, hoisting up the Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl XLI, Parsons capped off the year as a first-time pro-bowler. He was also named a first-team NFL All-Pro for his performance with the Cowboys. Helping to lead Dallas to the playoffs, Parsons filled the stat sheet. His 84 total tackles in the regular season and playoffs finished second on the team behind Jayron Kearse while his 13 sacks were the most on the Cowboys’ defense.

Butkus congratulates and trolls nephew

Former Chicago Bears legendary linebacker Dick Butkus had plenty to celebrate after learning about his nephew Luke Butkus’ promotion. But it was a bittersweet celebration for the Chicago legend because his nephew’s promotion came from bitter rival the Green Bay Packers. So Butkus did what any family member and former bears player would do; congratulate his nephew while taking a shot at his old rivals.

Butkus covered both requirements with this statement:
“Shout out to my nephew Luke the new o line coach for the Packers. So great to see you moving up with an expansion team,” wrote Butkus on Twitter.

The Packers promoted Luke to offensive line coach after spending his last three seasons as the assistant line coach. He takes over the role from Adam Stenavich after he was promoted to offensive coordinator. Butkus did follow in his uncle’s footsteps, joining Chicago when he started his coaching career. He spent three seasons with the Bears as an assistant from 2007 to 2009. After that, he would work with the Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars, and spend time at his alma mater, Illinois.