He is known for The NFL on CBS (1956), NFL Monday Night Football (1970) and The NFL on NBC (1965). "His talent for tackling on the field earned him a special place in Bears history and his contributions in business and broadcasting made him a treasured member of our community off the field. Many believe Buffones accomplishments on the field were overshadowed because he played next to a Hall of Fame teammate in Butkus. Doug and OB were my therapy after a tough loss and part of my celebration after a great win. My sincerest condolences to one of my best friends. In a statement, Hall of Famer Dick Butkus, who played alongside Buffone on the Bears for seven years, said a "great man" was lost. A gentle giant. Doug, God has brought you home for the rest and comfort of a life well lived. He was a great player and even better person after football. Buffone retired after the 1979 season with 24 career interceptions, the most for any Bears linebacker. ", "His special relationship with Bears fans continued beyond his playing days, first through founding the Bear Report and later as one of the pioneers and long-time contributors to Chicagos first sports radio station, WSCR. Just a great guy. and Love. A visitation service for Buffone will be held at Old St. Pat's Church on Friday from 2-6 p.m. A funeral service will follow. Buffone played collegiate football for Louisville. "I don't think anybody that has played for the Bears ever had more.' Former Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher tweeted about Buffone's death Monday. The Bears selected him in the fourth round of the 1966 NFL draft and he chose the team over a better contract offer from San Diego in the old AFL. In his professional career, Buffone gathered more than 1,200 tackles, going over the 100-tackle mark in seven seasons. Police say Buffone was found dead in his University Village home in the 1200-block of West Lexington by paramedics Monday afternoon. Beyond my incredible respect for him he was a guy I loved, just like everybody I know who ever met him. In addition to the 24 interceptions, Buffone had 10 fumble recoveries, nine forced fumbles and 37 sacks. Remember Doug "Dike" from my days at U of L. He was a star (I was nobody---Just a regular student) but he always took the time to talk. Butkus will have a role in next week's production downtown, announcing one of the Bears' selections on the draft's second day. Our sincere condolences to the Buffone family. Buffone's unbridled Bears enthusiasm made him a must-listen after games, especially following a difficult loss. Menu. Paramedics were called to Buffone's Chicago home Monday afternoon, where they found the popular linebacker-turned-broadcaster unresponsive, police said. Buffone was an entrepreneur, and part owner of several Chicago area businesses, including "Gibson's Steak House", one of the most popular nightspots in Chicago's Rush Street area, and Digital One, a video production and streaming video company in the Chicago suburbs. He was a good person, a true man's man and utterly devoted to his family and friends. Following his collegiate career, Buffone was selected by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round of the 1966 NFL Draft and the eighth round of the American Football League Draft by the San Diego Chargers. From the sidelines of the Chicago Bears to the Casino, you will be greatly missed. doug buffone obituary Buffone, Doug Every man's death diminishes us, but that holds double for legends like Doug Buffone. Former Bears teammates remembered Buffone as an affable, fun-loving athlete with an engaging personality. When you met Doug Buffone you fell in love with him, and that's how we feel.. the former Bears linebacker who died April 20th at age 70 of natural causes. A staple of the Bears' defense in the mid-1960s until his retirement following the 1979 season, Buffone arrived in Chicago in 1966 when team founder George Halas selected the linebacker in the fourth round of the NFL draft out of Louisville. Love to listen to him and Ed O after the game because the called it the way it was. So sad to lose a boyhood friend. They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel. God bless him. (Reuters) - Doug Buffone, a linebacker who played 14 seasons for the National Football League's Chicago Bears before retiring in 1980 as the franchise's all-time leader in games played, died on Monday at the age of 70, the team said. Rest in peace, my friend. And I think this is going to help the whole situation. He served as an unofficial ambassador for the team he loved and the game he devoted himself to, earning legions of friends and admirers through his unfailing graciousness and good-hearted nature. "He was a very special guy.". Hub. See here for a complete list of exchanges and delays. I am sad that I won't be able to listen to him any more. Doug brought us all so much joy.."I am a 70 year woman who listens to The Score often, and I always loved Doug's passion and honesty.he made me smile. They don't make them like that anymore. I cannot tell you how much I will miss him.. It's hard to say. It's a great event that they're (now) going to have it in Chicago. Love listening to him and O'bradovich after Bears games. My condolences to Dana and the children. Could never know a better person and all that did were blessed! The Associated Press. I hope that Doug and Norm Van Lear reunite and I can just hear the 2 of them. By the time Buffone wrapped up his brilliant career, he led all Bears linebackers with 24 career interceptions. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Doug Buffone, Chicago radio host and legendary Chicago Bears linebacker, has died. He was 70. Police say Buffone was found dead in his University Village home in the 1200-block of West Lexington by paramedics Monday afternoon. Buffone was drafted by the Bears in 1966, spending 15 seasons with the team. He was married to Dana. Even the year we were 1-13, I always had the feeling we were going to win and we just didn't. Buffone was an outspoken critic of the team in slow times, quoted by the Tribune from his radio show saying, "I could have gone to Rush Street last night and found 24 players who could do better than the Bears did today. RIP friend. Add Your Blog Posts Here; Player News Archive; Player News RSS Feed; Rushing & Receiving * Selected to Pro Bowl, + First-Team AP All-Pro, Bold indicates league leader; our prays are with you. Doug played, was all about head trauma. "Today is a sad day for Bears nation,"Brian Urlacher tweeted. I just found this sad news out. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Choice is: Ex: Ray Lewis, Junior Seau. Buffone later laughed recalling how the real source of the odor was a dead rat they found in his locker buried beneath his stuff. "It's the old syndrome," Butkus said Tuesday. "We lost one of our greats. Gonna miss him. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Doug Buffone, Chicago radio host and legendary Chicago Bears linebacker, has died. WebDoug Buffone was born on June 27, 1944 in Yatesboro, Pennsylvania, USA. He also had the honor of serving as defensive captain for eight seasons, beginning in 1972. He died of natural causes, they said. Search by Name. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the Buffone family! And he proved it each week over his 14-year career, a tenure record he shared with another great, Bill George, for 33 seasons. Mr Buffone has always been a true ambassador for Chicago, the Bears, and the NFL. Doug Buffone, a former Bears linebacker who made a seamless transition from a prominent football career to a successful second life as a popular Chicago sports radio personality and businessman, was found dead in his Chicago home Monday, according to police. Paramedics and police were summoned to Buffone's home on Chicago's West Side and found a 70-year-old man dead due to natural causes, said police Doug Sr was a man of honor and humor, and will be missed by many. If youre in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist. Remember taking Doug and several players to a local Catholic Church the day that JFK died. Had 11 solo tackles vs. New Orleans (10/6/74), Holds the Bears record for most career interceptions at linebacker (24), Was voted into the Louisville Hall of Fame with Johnny Unitas in 1979, National Italian American Sports hall of fame member since 1992, This page was last edited on 21 February 2023, at 06:39. All of us from back home in our Pennsylvania coal mining town were blessed to have him in our lives. (Reuters) - Doug Buffone, a linebacker who played 14 seasons for the National Football League's Chicago Bears before retiring in 1980 as the franchise's all-time leader in games played, died on Monday at the age of 70, the team said. Bear Down. Doug spent his entire career with the Bears (1966-79) serving as defensive captain for eight years. (Reuters) - Doug Buffone, a linebacker who played 14 seasons for the National Football League's Chicago Bears before retiring in 1980 as the franchise's all A true friend. Buffone's team record for games played was ultimately eclipsed by former long snapper Patrick Mannelly, who now holds the mark with 245. RIP. The first two interceptions of his career came off future Hall of Famers Bart Starr and Johnny Unitas. Beginning in the 1990s, Buffone became a fixture on Chicago sports talk radio and local television. The (NFL) has just done a great job of marketing the game. David Kessler's top 4 tips for dealing with holiday grief. Many prayers to our cousins for the loss of Doug. Buffone was the star of a popular segment of the Mully and Hanley show on WCSR on Fridays during the football season. He had 1,257 tackles, going over the 100 tackle mark in seven seasons. One time for Doug Buffone! Born in Yatesboro, Pennsylvania, Buffone played linebacker and center from 1962 to 1965 at the University of Louisville. ESPN'sJeff Dickerson andThe Associated Press contributed to this report. At Louisville, Buffone played center and linebacker for coach Frank Camp. I send my sympathy and prayers to Doug's (Dyke's) family. "He was a very special guy.". I was 10 when I attended tha bobby Douglas football camp at moose heart in the suburbs I remember Doug I got his autograph and recall was very nice and happy to be there rip go bears, My condolences on the painful loss of Doug Buffone. Buffone, a fourth-round draft pick whose 24 interceptions remain the most in club history for a linebacker, was found dead in his Chicago home, the coroner's office said. In the 21st century, it's not just urns and gravestones anymore. Deepest Sympathy to the family. May god bless the buffone family. For some people, the best send-off is one that they would have loved to attendthemselves: a big party. Doug was one of the best partners I ever had on the air, a treat to listen to on his own, an outstanding football player and a better man. For games played was ultimately eclipsed by former long snapper Patrick Mannelly, who now the. 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