Skip to main content
We may receive compensation from affiliate partners for some links on this site. Read our full Disclosure here.

NFL Hall of Famer Dick Butkus Cause Of Death Revealed


NFL Hall of Famer Dick Butkus’s cause of death has been revealed just one month after the Chicago Bears star died in his sleep at his home in Malibu.

The Los Angeles Department of Public Health reported Butkus died from a “cerebrovascular accident”(stroke).

His death certificate also listed several other causes which included “an irregular heartbeat and high cholesterol, and a coronary bypass surgery in 2001.”

Butkus died at the age of 81.

Here’s what Fox News added:

The family of Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker and Chicago Bears legend Dick Butkus confirmed last month that the NFL icon died in his sleep at his home in Malibu, but his official cause of death was revealed this week.

Butkus, who was 80, died froma “cerebrovascular accident,” or a stroke, CBS Sports reported, citing the Los Angeles Department of Public Health.

His death certificate also listed a number of secondary causes, including an irregular heartbeat and high cholesterol, and revealed that the five-time first-team All-Pro also underwent coronary bypass surgery in 2001.

Considered one of the greatest defensive players of all time, Butkus spent all nine seasons of his NFL career from 1965 to 1973 with the Bears, earning eight Pro Bowl nods. He was also named Defensive Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons (1969-1970).

“Dick Butkus was a fierce and passionate competitor who helped define the linebacker position as one of the NFL’s all-time greats,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement at the time.

Per The New York Post:

Bears legend Dick Butkus died at 80 in October after suffering a stroke, according to the death certificate obtained by TMZ.

The certificate lists a “cerebrovascular accident” as the cause of death, which is more commonly known as a stroke.

The death certificate also lists secondary causes, which included an irregular heartbeat and thick/hardened arteries.

Butkus had been dealing with an irregular heartbeat in the weeks before his death and had issues with his arteries for years, according to TMZ.

The death certificate also mentioned Butkus’ coronary bypass surgery that he had done in 2001.



 

Join the conversation!

Please share your thoughts about this article below. We value your opinions, and would love to see you add to the discussion!

Leave a comment
Thanks for sharing!