Net Worth Ranker
What Is Dick Butkus Net Worth’ Net Worth
At the time of his death on October 5, 2023, Dick Butkus, the legendary American football player, had an estimated net worth of $10 million. This figure represents the culmination of a successful career in professional football, supplemented by ventures into acting, sports commentary, and philanthropic activities. While it’s impossible to break down the precise components of his net worth without access to his private financial records, we can infer the general sources from publicly available information about his career and endorsements.
Football Career Earnings and Endorsements
Dick Butkus’s primary source of wealth originated from his career as a middle linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the Chicago Bears from 1965 to 1973, during an era when player salaries were significantly lower than they are today. Specific contract details from that period are not readily available in public records. However, it’s known that Butkus was a highly sought-after player, having been drafted by both the NFL’s Bears and the AFL’s Denver Broncos in 1965. While the Bears offered less money than the Broncos, Butkus chose to play for his hometown team, indicating that factors beyond pure monetary value influenced his decision.
Although his playing salary was comparatively modest by modern standards, Butkus’s exceptional performance on the field led to numerous accolades and endorsements, which would have contributed substantially to his income. He was selected to eight Pro Bowls (1965-1972) and was named All-League six times. He also earned the NEA NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in both 1969 and 1970. These achievements would have increased his marketability and attractiveness to potential sponsors.
Specific details on his endorsement deals during his playing career are scarce, but athletes of his stature often secured agreements with sporting goods companies, apparel brands, and local businesses. After his retirement from playing, Butkus expanded his endorsement portfolio, appearing in commercials for brands such as Prestone, Miller Lite, and Echo Tools. While the exact financial terms of these endorsements are not public, they would have provided a steady stream of income for many years.
Acting and Broadcasting Career Revenue
Following his retirement from professional football in 1974, Dick Butkus embarked on a career in acting and broadcasting, further contributing to his overall net worth. His acting credits include roles in several films, such as “The Longest Yard” (1974), “Gus” (1976), “Cracking Up” (1977), “Johnny Dangerously” (1984), “Necessary Roughness” (1991), and “Any Given Sunday” (1999). While his roles were often supporting ones, these appearances provided income and increased his public profile. It’s difficult to ascertain the specific amount he earned per film, but actors in similar roles during those periods typically received salaries ranging from a few thousand to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the size and scope of the production.
Butkus also had a presence on television, with main roles in series like “Blue Thunder” (1984) and “My Two Dads” (1987-1990), as well as guest appearances on shows such as “Vega$” (1978-1981), “MacGyver” (1985-1992), and “Murder, She Wrote” (1984-1996). Salaries for television actors vary widely based on the network, the role, and the actor’s experience. It’s reasonable to assume that Butkus earned a respectable income from his television work, especially during his time as a series regular on “My Two Dads.”
In addition to acting, Butkus worked as a sports commentator and analyst for both radio and television. In 1985, he joined Wayne Larrivee and Jim Hart for radio broadcasts of Chicago Bears games. Later in the decade, he served as a replacement analyst on CBS’s “The NFL Today.” These roles likely provided additional income, although the specific terms of his broadcasting contracts are not publicly available. Broadcasters’ salaries depend on their experience, popularity, and the size of the media market.
Philanthropic Activities and the Butkus Foundation
While not a direct source of income, Dick Butkus’s philanthropic activities through the Butkus Foundation indirectly contributed to his public image and brand, which could have had a positive impact on his endorsement opportunities and other ventures. The Butkus Foundation, which he established, supports various charitable causes, including the Butkus Award, an elite individual honor for linebackers. The foundation also runs initiatives supporting cardiovascular health and combating steroid use among high school athletes.
The Butkus Award, in particular, has become a prestigious accolade in college football, further cementing Butkus’s legacy and name recognition. While the Foundation’s financial records are not fully transparent, it likely receives donations and sponsorships from individuals and corporations, which are then used to fund its charitable programs. By associating his name with positive causes, Butkus likely enhanced his reputation and appeal to potential business partners.
Early Life and Background
Dick Butkus was born on December 9, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the youngest of eight children born to Lithuanian immigrant parents, John and Emma Butkus. His father worked as an electrician for Pullman-Standard, a railroad car manufacturing company, and his mother worked at a Laundromat. Butkus grew up on the South Side of Chicago in the Roseland neighborhood. As a teenager, Butkus attended Chicago Vocational High School, where he played football at a number of different positions. In 1959, he was the first junior ever to be named Chicago’s high school player of the year by the Chicago Sun-Times. These early details of his life provide a glimpse into his upbringing and the environment that shaped his character and work ethic.
Collegiate Career Details
Heavily recruited out of high school, Butkus ultimately decided to attend the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. There, he played center and linebacker on the Fighting Illini football team from 1962 to 1964. Butkus had his greatest season at U of I in 1963-64, when he led his team to an 8-1-1 record and a Rose Bowl victory. Consequently, he was named MVP of both the Fighting Illini and the Big Ten. As a senior, Butkus once again was named Illini MVP, as well as Lineman of the Year by UPI and Player of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association. While college athletes were not paid during his time, his success at the University of Illinois raised his profile and increased his value for when he entered the NFL.
Chicago Bears Career
In 1965, Butkus was drafted by both the NFL’s Chicago Bears and the AFL’s Denver Broncos. Although the Bears offered less money than the Broncos, he couldn’t resist the chance to play for his hometown team under coach George Halas. Butkus went on to make his debut for the Bears at middle linebacker, a position in which he made an almost immediate impact. Due to his success, he was invited to the Pro Bowl, his first of eight consecutive appearances. Butkus had another impressive year in 1966, and was named to multiple All-Pro teams.
Butkus scored the first points of his NFL career in November of 1969 in a 38-7 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. For his safety – and his 25 tackles – he was named NFL Defensive Player of the Week. Unfortunately, this was to be the Bears’ only win of the season; the team finished with a franchise-worst record of 1-13. Despite this dismal performance, Butkus built a reputation as one of the top players in the league, and was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the NEA for both 1969 and 1970. In September of 1971, the Bears played their first game at Chicago’s Soldier Field, their new official home. Butkus gave one of his greatest performances yet in the game, erasing a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter to mount a major comeback win against the Steelers. He finished the season with team-leading stats of 117 tackles and four interceptions. Butkus also scored a game-winning point in the closing minutes of a game against the Washington Redskins, a play he would later call his favorite of his career. In 1972, Butkus made it to his eighth and final Pro Bowl.
Butkus played his final year of football in 1973. Although his season was truncated after nine games due to a persistent knee injury, he managed to score the only touchdown of his career when he leapt on a fumble in the end zone in a game against the Houston Oilers. Ultimately, Butkus’s injury forced him to retire, which he did in May of 1974. Although exact contract details from his time with the Bears are not readily available, it is likely that he was compensated well for his position and success in the league. This would contribute to his overall net worth at the time of his death.
Honors and Recognition
Renowned for his tough tackling ability and for defining the position of middle linebacker, Butkus has been the recipient of numerous honors for his legendary football career. In 1979, he was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and in 1983 was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Butkus was later inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame, the National Lithuanian American Hall of Fame, and the Lincoln Academy of Illinois. Moreover, he has frequently been ranked among the greatest NFL players of all time, appearing on lists by such publications as the Sporting News and the New York Daily News. While these honors don’t directly add to his net worth, they add to his reputation and legacy, which can lead to increased revenue streams from endorsements and other ventures.
Film and Television Career
Following his playing career, Butkus acted in numerous films and television shows. His film credits include “The Longest Yard,” “Gus,” “Cracking Up,” “Johnny Dangerously,” “Necessary Roughness,” and “Any Given Sunday.” On the small screen, Butkus had main roles on such series as “Blue Thunder” and “My Two Dads,” and also appeared in episodes of “Vega$,” “MacGyver,” and “Murder, She Wrote.” Additionally, Butkus has done commercial endorsements for various brands, including Prestone, Miller Lite, and Echo Tools. These roles and endorsements would contribute to his income and overall net worth. It is likely that his earnings from these roles, along with his endorsements, would be substantial, but specific details of his contracts and income are not readily available.
Personal Life and Family
While still a student at U of I in 1963, Butkus wed his high school sweetheart and fellow Illini Helen Essenberg. Together, they had three children named Ricky, Matt, and Nikki. His family life and connections to his community likely influenced his career decisions and opportunities, although direct financial details are not available.
