Dick Butkus, arguably the fiercest Monster of the Midway, has died at age 80, the team announced Thursday.
Butkus became a Chicago Bears legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer in his nine-year career, which started in 1965. The middle linebacker was a vicious tackler whose sense of intimidation put some players on their heels before the ball was even snapped.
In a statement released through the Bears, Butkus' family said he "died peacefully in his sleep overnight" at his home in Malibu, California.
Hall of Fame defensive end Deacon Jones once called Butkus a "maniac" and "well-conditioned animal.