CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Chambana Today) — The Butkus Award ceremony will be held at Gies Memorial Stadium on the U of I’s campus later this month, looking to recognize the sport’s greatest linebackers.
The event will take place on Saturday, January 31 for its second straight year in Champaign. The event will be tape delayed on Big Ten Network, which brings together football’s finest linebackers and celebrates the legacy of Fighting Illini alumnus Dick Butkus, one of the greatest linebackers to play the game.
The award is presented annually to the nation’s best linebacker at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels, and was established in honor of Butkus, who was an Illinois native and a two-time All-American for the U of I. After leaving Illinois, Butkus had a Hall of Fame career with the Chicago Bears, and he remains one of the most iconic players in NFL history.
“Bringing the Butkus Award Show back to Champaign for a second year means more to our family than words can express,” said Matt Butkus, son of the late Dick Butkus. “This stadium is where my dad’s journey took shape, and honoring today’s toughest, smartest, and most dedicated linebackers on the same ground feels incredibly special. The athletes we recognize carry forward his standard of excellence, and we’re proud to celebrate their achievements here in Champaign.”
The Butkus Award Show will feature the presentation of awards in several categories, including the high school, college, and professional linebacker awards. Jacob Rodriguez of Texas Tech is this year’s collegiate winner.
The event promises to be a star-studded evening, honoring the best in the game while paying tribute to Dick Butkus’ unparalleled contributions to the sport.