A legend of the game right here, gone too soon.

Dick Butkus, arguably the fiercest Monster of the Midway, has died at age 80, the Chicago Bears announced Thursday.

Butkus became a Bears legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer in his nine-year career, which started in 1965. The middle linebacker was a vicious tackler whose intimidating presence put some players on their heels before the ball was even snapped.

In a statement released through the Bears, Butkus' family said he "died peacefully in his sleep overnight" at his home in Malibu, California.

Dick Butkus was an absolute beast on the football field, and nobody in their right mind would've wanted to run the ball on this guy.

Take a look:

Yeah man, the guy was a force to be reckoned with out there, but now, sadly, he's gone.

The Bears won their first game of the season last night after the news broke, adding a little extra emotion to Dick's passing.

I'll leave you with this from ESPN:

Rest in peace, Dick Butkus.

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