Last month, Chicago Bears legend Dick Butkus passed away suddenly at the age of 80. And while his death was rather sudden, we now we officially know what caused the passing of the legendary football player.
As reported by CBS Sports, the Los Angeles Department of Public Health revealed that the Hall of Fame linebacker died as a result of a “cerebrovascular accident,” which is commonly known as a stroke. In addition to the stroke, there were multiple secondary causes of death, as well.
“In addition, secondary causes were listed on his death certificate, which was issued by the Los Angeles Department of Health, including atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat), high cholesterol, and atherosclerosis (thick/hardened arteries). The death certificate also stated that Butkus underwent coronary bypass surgery back in 2001,” CBS Sports reported this week.
Butkus is widely considered one of the greatest defensive players to ever play the game, winning the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year award twice, earning five first-team All-Pro nominations and eight different Pro Bowl nominations.
The No. 51 jersey worn by Butkus has been retired by the Chicago Bears since 2019 and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio back in 1979.
