Chicago Bears paying tribute to late Dick Butkus with jersey patch

The Chicago Bears have decided to pay tribute to a legend for the remainder of the season. On Friday, the organization announced it will honor Dick Butkus with a special jersey addition for the rest of the year.

Bears players will sport a “51” football patch on their jerseys for the remainder of the 2023 season. Butkus, who passed away earlier this month at the age of 80, is considered one of the greatest players in franchise history.

“It’s been gratifying to hear so many of our current players say in recent days how much they appreciate the Butkus legacy,” said Bears Chairman George H. McCaskey, per the team’s website. “The purpose of the patch is, every time they pull on the pads they’ll take a moment to think about Dick and his approach to the game.”

For 51 💙 pic.twitter.com/6uTlcLi1gf

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 13, 2023

Butkus played linebacker for the Bears from 1965-73. He was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year winner. The linebacker also earned five first-team All-Pro selections.

The Bears selected Butkus in the first round of the 1965 NFL Draft. He played college football at Illinois. Both Illinois and Chicago retired the linebacker’s jersey number.

Chicago hosts division rival Minnesota at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday. The game airs on FOX.

Bears release statement on Dick Butkus’ passing

Following Butkus’ passing, the team released a statement.

“Dick was the ultimate Bear, and one of the greatest players in NFL history,” the statement read. “He was Chicago’s son. He exuded what our great city is about and, not coincidently, what George Halas looked for in a player: toughness, smarts, instincts, passing and leadership. He refused to accept anything less than the best from himself, or from his teammates. When we dedicated the George Halas statue at our team headquarters, we asked Dick to speak at the ceremony, because we knew he spoke for Papa Bear.

“Dick had a gruff manner, and maybe that kept some people from approaching him, but he actually had a soft touch. His legacy and philanthropy included a mission of ridding performance enhancing drugs from sports and promoting heart health. His contributions to the game he loved will live forever and we are grateful he was able to be at our home opener this year to be celebrated one last time by his many fans.

“We extend our condolences to Helen, Dick’s high school sweetheart and wife of 60 years, and their family.”