'It's a humbling deal': Illini great Dick Butkus talks statue at his alma mater

Former Illinois Hall of Famer Dick Butkus was on campus this weekend for the unveiling of his statue Friday.

For Dick Butkus a statue of himself on the campus of his alma mater is not something he wanted, embraces and admittedly goes against everything he personally stands for.

“It’s a very humbling deal,” Butkus said Friday in his media conference. “And you wonder ‘why man?’. I did what I thought I was supposed to do. Shit, I had fun knocking the shit out of people. So if it was that unusual, I guess you take it.”

At 76 years old, Butkus is still a very simple person who doesn’t particularly relish the idea of having folks honor or treat him like a celebrity. However, Butkus said Friday that his career at the University of Illinois symbolized the start of the football player becoming a star symbol.

Butkus admitted sheepishly that this statue was not a project the NFL Hall of Famer he was in favor of. 

“What the hell can you say? (A statue) is usually something for dead people,” Butkus said. “I really made it tough for (sculpture) George (Lundeen). I really wasn’t for it. He did an excellent job.”

Dick Butkus speaking to the media before his statue unveiling on Oct. 11. Illini Maven photo

Butkus had his statue outside the main entrance of the Smith Football Center unveiled Friday less than 24 hours before the Illini host No. 16 Michigan this weekend.

"Perhaps no football program in the country can claim two more iconic players than Red Grange and Dick Butkus," Illinois Director of Athletics Josh Whitman said in a statement. "Thus, it is only fitting that statues of these two incredible Fighting Illini frame the west and east sides of the stadium where they played. We are so excited to unveil the Butkus statue, a beautiful piece of art that will stand forever as a testament to the player Dick was the man he remains today. We hope our fans will come help celebrate Dick's remarkable legacy and pay tribute to all that he has meant to our University and to the game of football. It will be a wonderful, memorable event."

Guests in attendance will hear from Illinois chancellor Robert Jones, Whitman and Butkus himself.