With the passing of Dave Butz, WASHINGTON has lost a football icon.
Butz, a two-time Super Bowl champion, died at the age of 72 after receiving hospice care, according to 106.7 The Fan.
Butz, a 290-pounder with a height of 6 feet 7 inches, was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the fifth round of the 1973 draught out of Purdue.
The enormous defensive lineman left St. Louis after two seasons and moved to Washington, where he continued to play for the rest of his career.
Butz had 203 appearances there and finished with 59 sacks, two interceptions, and six recovered fumbles.
In 1983, when he had 11.5 sacks, made the Pro Bowl, and was named to the First Team All-Pro, that was his best season.
Butz eventually left Washington after spending fourteen years there at the age of 38 after the 1988 campaign.
Coach Joe Gibbs stated, according to NBC Sports, “When I think of Dave, I think of all the spectacular plays he’s made for us over the years.” This was uttered after he left the game.
“I recall him playing against the New York Jets two years ago after leaving the hospital. After making one of the game’s most important plays, he returned to the hospital.
The Commanders tweeted on Friday that they are “heartbroken” following the news of Butz’s passing. Butz was a member of the NFL’s All-Decade squad for the 1980s, a member of the Washington Ring of Fame, and a member of their 90 Greatest list.
Joe Theismann, a former quarterback for Washington, also tweeted his condolences, writing: “Today, a close buddy passed away. Doug Butz I used to bike to games with Dave Mark Mosley. a genuine kind giant. Peace be with you, dear friend.”
