New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick Remembers Chicago Bears Icon Dick Butkus

"That was great to get to meet him, talk to him, spend a little bit of time with him, ton of respect for Dick, his play style, what he did for the game," New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick said.

The NFL world is in mourning after Chicago Bears legend Dick Butkus passed away on Thursday evening. He was 80 years old.

Butkus was the No. 3 overall pick by the Bears in 1965 and spent all nine seasons of his career in Chicago, forming one of the best linebacker careers in NFL history.

He received many accolades throughout his career, including two Defensive Player of the Year awards in 1969 and 1970 and a Pro Football Hall of Fame induction in 1979 on his first year of eligibility.

Butkus retired in 1974 at age 31 due to injury, one year before New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick landed his first job in the NFL as a special assistant on the Baltimore Colts coaching staff.

Chicago Bears linebacker Dick Butkus (51) in action at Busch Stadium / Herb Weitman-USA TODAY Sports

A few years ago, Belichick interacted with Butkus at an NFL 100 honoree event and the two shared a lasting memory.

"I got to spend a little bit of time with him at the NFL 100, the Super Bowl in Miami when they introduced us, spent a little time with him down there," Belichick said. "That was great to get to meet him, talk to him, spend a little bit of time with him, ton of respect for Dick, his play style, what he did for the game."

Shortly before the Thursday Night Football contest between the Bears and Washington Commanders earlier in the week, a moment of silence was held for Butkus. It's expected that the rest of the NFL will honor Butkus again as the rest of Week 5 continues.

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