Ranking the top 10 defensive players in NFL history…
Drafted third overall by the Chicago Bears in the 1965 NFL Draft out of the University of Illinois, Butkus quickly established himself as a ferocious middle linebacker, succeeding Hall of Famer Bill George and becoming the heart of the Bears’ defense.
Over his entire nine-season career with the Bears, Butkus earned eight Pro Bowl selections in his first eight years and five First-team All-Pro honors. He intercepted five passes and recovered six fumbles as a rookie, and unofficially forced numerous fumbles while amassing an estimated 1,020 tackles.
His peak came in 1969 and 1970, winning back-to-back NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards. Despite the Bears’ mediocre records (48-74-4 during his tenure), Butkus recovered an NFL-record 25 fumbles at retirement (later broken) and intercepted 22 passes, showcasing his ball-hawking ability.
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Butkus’s career totals include 1,020 tackles, 22 interceptions, 27 fumble recoveries and one sack (official stats began later) across 119 games. He ranked among the league leaders in takeaways multiple times and was named to the NFL’s 1960s and 1970s All-Decade Teams.
Butkus’s standout attributes were his size (6-foot-3, 245 lbs), speed, agility and instincts, allowing sideline-to-sideline pursuit and elite pass defense for a linebacker.
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Butkus’s playing style was intimidating and relentless: an angry, snarling tackler who played with unmatched ferocity, often using psychological edges to dominate opponents.
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Retiring prematurely in 1974 due to knee injuries, Butkus sued the Bears for contract breach, settling out of court.
[He was inducted](https://www.profootballhof.com/players/dick-butkus/) into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979, his No. 51 jersey retired.
Featured image via Tony Tomsic/USA TODAY NETWORK