Dick Butkus

Dick Butkus

This was a cool Advertising poster that I bought and framed.

Let's move on to the new and improved Butkus collectibles shelf.

And here is a metal sign that promoted the line of clothing.

NFL Throwbacks Vintage Collection, Retail Apparel


Throwbacks – the NFL vintage clothing collection is a line of apparel inspired by the original game jerseys, jackets, caps, and equipment of teams like the Duluth Eskimos, the '61 Packers and the "Steel Curtain." This profitable NFL retail licensed product line-extension has grown tremendously since its introduction displayed by the series of ads shown below incorporating NFL Hall of Fame players and Throwback legends Ray Nitschke, Gale Sayers, and Dick Butkus. (from http://www.behance.net/gallery/NFL-Print-Throwbacks-Vintage-Collection-Retail-Apparel/2865303)

                               

1990s 17x14 metal advertising sign

Dick Butkus never wore an earring and Gale Sayers never "Pumped Up His Shoes" is also from the previous ad campaign, but I have never seen Sayers' ad.  UPDATE Feb 2015 : Found the Sayers Tin sign, 14 inches by 16.5 inches, still in original shrink wrap.

Here are a few more Butkus items that I added to my collection.  I had to buy the HOF Bust card because it is autographed to me, Jim.  :)  The Volpe poster is somewhat rare.  It historically was ordered through Clarke gas station promotions.  I also have the cards/mini posters of all of the Bears that were available.

SGA card when the Bears retired Butkus and Sayers Jerseys - October 31,  1994.  It was pouring down rain at halftime during the ceremony.  This card is autographed.

 
You should know by now that I love the toys, especially older ones. One of the greatest toys of the ages, back in the day before the incredible stuff we have now, was the old Electric Football games...you know, where you line up your offense against the opponents defense, put a little fuzzy ball in the hands of a runner or QB (for that impossible to complete pass), then you flip the switch and all the players vibrate. The goal is to get your guy untouched to the end zone. If you want to read up on the history of electric football, here's a great site...from Tudor, to Gotham, to Coleco and Miggle, all successful and competitive manufacturers of this legendary game: http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Gym/2922/history2.htm

I bought the circa 1970 Gotham Pressed Steel, Dick Butkus 2 Platoon football, model 890. The game used a masonite magnetic board, as opposed to the metal boards that followed. It has a Dick Butkus picture likeness at mid-field and the original game came with a free 8x10 autographed photo of Butkus. Of course, by the time I located this game, the photo was long gone. The gameboard itself is a little warped, but it works fine. It's missing 4 players and a goal post, but that's not why I bought it anyway.

I seem to have a passion for player-name-sponsored Wilson footballs, and when you find something from the 1970 that is brand new, it is quite exciting...no box, but sweet!

I especially like to find items that I never even knew existed. After collecting for 30 years, I was surprised to find this....simple, nothing special....just a coffee cup, but nonetheless....neat

From the 1960s I obtained a 7x9 inch coloring card....worth more uncolored, obviously

       Update: These cards are known as the 1968 Venus Paradise NFL Color by Numbers Cards. I bought a colored Bears vs. Colts

2016 Hallmark Ornament

Cardboard display 53"x37"x1"

1972 puzzle (I have the cylinder container already)  This one is completed and framed

1968 Tasco.  I now have Sayers, Concannon and Butkus

The Dick Butkus Award is presented to the nation's top linebackers.  According to Wikipedia:

The Butkus Award, instituted in 1985 by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando, is given annually to the top linebackers at the high school, collegiate and professional levels of football. The award, named in honor of College Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Dick Butkus, is presented by the Butkus Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports a number of health and wellness activities including the "I Play Clean" anti-steroid program. The award was first established by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando, which relinquished control of the award in 2008 following a lawsuit by Butkus.^[1]

Traditionally, the award was given only to the top collegiate linebacker. The Butkus Award was expanded in 2008 to include high school and professional winners^[2] as part of a makeover by the Butkus family to help end anabolic steroid abuse among young athletes. Two players have won both the high school and collegiate Butkus Awards: Notre Dame linebackers Manti Te'o (2008, 2012) and Jaylon Smith (2012, 2015). Three players have won both the collegiate and professional Butkus Awards: former linebacker Patrick Willis (2006, 2009), Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (2010, 2012), and Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly (2011, 2014, 2015, 2017) 

This token is from 1988 and the award winner was Derrick Thomas from Alabama.  His story via Wikipedia is as follows: 

Derrick Vincent Thomas (January 1, 1967 – February 8, 2000), nicknamed D.T., was an American football linebacker and defensive end who played for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). Thomas was drafted fourth overall by the Chiefs in the 1989 NFL Draft where he spent the entirety of his 11-year career until his death in 2000. Considered one of the greatest pass rushers of all time,^[1] he was named to nine Pro Bowls and holds the record for most sacks in a single game at seven.

After the conclusion of the Chiefs' 1999 season, Thomas was involved in a car accident during the 1999–2000 NFL playoffs that left him paralyzed from the chest down. Days later, he died from a blood clot that developed in his paralyzed legs and traveled to his lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism. Thomas was posthumously inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2014.

1991 Goal Line Art

The Butkus Card:  It is an original, not a reprint or copy of any existing card.

Created on a printing press, not a homemade digital or inkjet product.
200 of this card issued in 1997, no "parallels" or variations were made.

Designed and manufactured as a print sample by Lone Star Printing Co.

The Ditka card is from Monarch Corona Company in 2009.

 

Original, vintage Sports Illustrated Dick Butkus poster. Measures 23" x 34" and has the original fold in the middle. "S3N51" The poster lists the photographer as Tony Tomsic. The licensee is Renselaar Corporation 1970. T/A Major League Posters. Plymouth Square Center Conshohocken, PA. 19428. The poster is in incredible shape with no tack holes.

Bought a reproduction rookie card in mint condition.  I can't tell it apart from the real card, which is scary, considering all the cards that I buy on Ebay.

this is a very nice and rare 1970's Photo of Dick Butkus for "Bob's Burger Express." This was used as a promotional item back in the 70's from a now defunct restaurant in Oregon. This is a rare photo of Mr. Butkus and a must have for your collection. This is also considered as a "1971 Bears Team Issue."

Junior Model Football - I already owned the Butkus "panel" part, now I have it on a complete ball.

Butkus/Sayers/ Halas picture

                                       1974 Hallmark Card Hanging Pic Dick Butkus #51

            I am pretty sure that these originally came from the official Hall Of Fame Gift Shop

                                        3 inch Pewter figure (I have a similar one of Urlacher)

Just purchased: 2024 DICK BUTKUS Limited Ed Bobblehead Memorial Stadium 100 YEAR Illinois NIB.  Butkus from his college days.

This popped up on Ebay today and I had never seen one before.  I don't know what year it came out but maybe when it gets delivered it might have info on a tag or something.  This was the seller's description: 

 "Celebrate your Chicago Bears fandom with this vintage Dick Butkus inflatable doll. A must-have for any die-hard football enthusiast, this multi-colored piece is officially licensed and represents the spirit of the game during the regular season and beyond. It's a unique addition to any collection, embodying the toughness and spirit of one of the NFL's legendary players. Whether displayed prominently in your home or office, or used to add a touch of nostalgia to your game day rituals, this inflatable doll is a tribute to the legacy of both Dick Butkus and the storied Chicago Bears team. It's more than just a collectible; it's a piece of football history. The DOLL IS INFLATABLE- BUT WILL NOT HOLD AIR ! NEEDS TLC AND TO REPAIR THE LEAK."

Hopefully,  I can get the leak repaired somewhere.

I found a little more information on the inflatable Butkus.  I found a new one that was sold at auction that tells more about it.

                               I could not resist buying the following hoodie.  It is pretty sweet!

In 2024 The Chicago Tribune published a book in remembrance of Dick Butkus entitled “The Legendary Career of Dick Butkus”.  The following is their copy previewing the book.

Details

Step into the world of Dick Butkus, one of the greatest linebackers football has ever seen! Born in Chicago's very heart, Butkus became its roaring pulse on the field, wearing #51 for the Chicago Bears. Chicago Tribune's vibrant, 144-page coffee-table book paints a vivid portrait of his awe-inspiring journey through exclusive photos, stories and stats.

Relive his sideline-to-sideline heroics, celebrate his unmatched leadership, and revel in the stories of a player who didn't just play the game he embodied it.

Additional Details

Hardcover, 144 pages. Measures 11.25" x 8.75" x 0.5".

Butkus: The Legendary Career of Dick Butkus | Chicago Tribune Store

Years ago I purchased a vintage used Dick Butkus 2 Platoon Electric Football game.  The new version had included an autographed photo by Butkus.  Of course that was missing from my purchase.  I recently recognized that autographed photo (hopefully) on Ebay and purchased it.  I’m assuming that it is the real and original one that came with the game.