Illinois unveils 12-foot Dick Butkus statue
Dick Butkus played at Illinois from 1962-64. Butkus may not have won every game he played with the Fighting Illini, but he finished third in Heisman Trophy voting in 1964.
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Butkus’ playing career was remarkable, that’s understood. And what may be equally remarkable is the fact that he received a 12-foot statue from Illinois on Friday.
Here’s the unveiling:
The Dick Butkus Statue is unveiled. #Illini pic.twitter.com/21COlw7Eva
— Craig Choate (@craigwchoate) October 11, 2019
More of the statue, Friday as a whole:
The Dick Butkus Statue #Illini pic.twitter.com/HHR2UWsmug
— Illinois Athletics (@IlliniAthletics) October 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/LovieSmith/status/1182700067247083520
Dick Butkus and George Lundeen look at the mini statue at @IlliniFootball @wdws1400 @IlliniHQ pic.twitter.com/SUnVooi73G
— Ed Bond (@EdIllini) October 11, 2019
Dick Butkus statue about to be unveiled here at a festive scene outside the new Smith Football Center. #Illini pic.twitter.com/v0mGeUvhyG
— Gordon Voit (@GordonVoit) October 11, 2019
Butkus went on to be drafted No. 3 overall by the Chicago Bears in the 1965 NFL Draft and was an eight-time pro bowler. In 1969 and 1970 he was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Butkus was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983 and into the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016.
