Southern Illinoisan from Carbondale, Illinois • Page 45

Carbndal Hernn MurphyWr SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN, SUNDAY. SEPTEMBER 13, 1970 He likes to intimidate quarterbacks Bear linebacker Butkus monster on Sunday But each of them fear and From the beginning, they have t's Illinois team to the conference title and a berth in the By Lon Eubanks Iindsav-Sehaub News Service shared a bond as football respect Butkus as they do no other man, all for at least one Rose Bowl came. For most men Sunday is the men. "Winning is everything in this ouktest dav of the week. reason.

Bulk us was drafted by the Denver Broncos of what then Dick Butkus is the warlord of game," Butkus says simply, Hie troubles at the office are forgotten for at least one day was the warring American "and I don't ever expect to be satisfied with any season until the National a 1 League. Butkus enthusiasm returned. "Enthusiasm for football is more important than anything else," he said. "I think I have more desire now than I ever have had because I want to do everything I possible can to make the Bears a winning team. "I don't see how you can play this game without being violent and without being reckless.

I and they can sit in front of the League as well as the Bears in 1964, but Denver was never we win some kind of cham television set or drive to the Earlier this year virtually ail of the coaches of the NFL were pionship." nearby stadium and see so really in the picture. Neither Butkus believes the NFL were the New York Jets, who in New York for a pre-season meone else's problem. realignment this year that puts gained draftrights to Butkas in a meeting. They were asked the For the man who is called the the Bears in the Central Division trade when it was obvious that hypothetical question: If you quarterback in a world called of the National Conference along professional football, that pro he had no interest in Dec ver. were starting a team again from scratch, which player now ac with Minnesota, Green Bay and blem is called Dick Butkus.

hope I never lose that, no matter how smart I ever became as a tive in both conferences would Detroit will give the Bears I didn like Denver ap To Butkus, this is savage good chance for a division title proach," said Butkus at the player." you pick first? Sunday. althouch the Vikings are the The vast majority of them So it's quarterbacks time. "There's more to it than He is part-man, part-monster, beware. named Butkus. defending NFL champs.

just money and that's aH Denver Butkus is back as mean and The schedule is more wanted to talk about." And that may be the best in glaring at them from the other side of the line as they hover over center waiting to take the favorable since we don't play mauling as ever. dication of how highly he is Butkus signed with the Bears regarded in the game today for a $200,000 package launching snap. teams like Los Angeles and Dallas," said Butkus, "while the But Quarterbacks really are after only five seasons in the him on a career that began with other teams in our division have TEXAS, PENN ST. ON TV TVICE Texas and Perm State, a pair a Rookie of the Year selection in NFL following the end of his no match for him. They are just what I think are tougher 1965 and on to unanimous All- college career at Illinois.

Signed by Halas sitting ducks in a carnival arcade. Their eyes are on the schedules." of undefeated teams who finish Pro honors for four of his five No owner or coach in the ed one-two nationally in I960, The 1969 season was years in the game. receivers, darting for a breath of daylight in what often ap particularly disappointing for however, nas any more This year Butkus was will each make two national television appearances this fall. Butkus. The fact that the Bears rewarded with a new contract, pears to them to be a myriad of respect for Butkus than the man Their appearance highlights a who signed him, George Halas, could win only one game a 33- boosting his salary from $50,000 "He's the greateht linebacker 35-game schedule that begins year to a figure estimated in 8 victory over Pittsburgh left Butkus in a state of humiliation, new two-year, $12 million per we have in the league now, as the $50,000 to $100,000 range.

frame of mind he does not se ason contract rxiween me well as one of the great football There are probably same rich NCAA and ABC network. wear welL players of this age," Halas said quarterbacks in the league, who The schedule includes 11 na For several weeks after the not long ago. would pay him half as much just 1969 season ended in the "We've wanted Dick to play to stay at home every Sun- tional telecasts and 24 regional ones with the Stanford-Arkansas desperation of a 20-3 setback at for the Bears since he was just a cay. game Sept. 12 being the opener.

the hands of Detroit, Butkus was kid growing up in Chicago. Bears Fare Poorly defensive backs. 15 however, only has eyes for them. They are his targets. They are marked men.

Yet, Butkus is not without his enemies, too. They are the running backs, the men who run with the wind, avoiding the turf in the middle oi the Chicago Bears' defense that BuUius rules. Leroy Kelly, a man with a galaxy of sudden stops and starts. Tom Matte, who is never down until he is flat on his back. Travis Williams, a streaking flash of tackle-breaking energy.

These, of course, and more. Arkansas and Texas close the in a sullen mood, not wanting to We've been watching him that Despite Butkus' greatness as video season against each other be interviewed, only wanting to long. Dick is the spirit you have an lnaivicuai piaycr, nas greatest frustration has been the on Dec. 5. to have on a team.

And he just put the bad memories of the season out of his head. beginning to reach his peak as a fact that the Bears have not won a title of any kind since he has It was net long, however, pro. He has that wondenul SIMILAR MARKS Chester and Herrin both ended been with the team. before Butkus became engross temperament and enthusiasm the 1967 season with 2-7 re ou have to admire." Chicago's last championship cords, and each team's defense ed in his off-season business activities, which are now becoming numercus, and the old came 1963. the same year Butkus has as much respect fr allowed 82 points for the year.

Halas. Butkus was leading Pete Elliot fmwm The luck to you when you bank with us! mtww, ituwois ft step rntfi ff6 t'" BH HERRIN'S FULL SERVICE BANK CARRY YOUR FINANCIAL NEEDS TO US' kg ffiSftl mM i i uUUli- LUyJLaa UK 5)fo) OF Kl tiWLJWU MEMBER FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION.