In May 2009, Buffone and his long-time Bears post-game partner Ed O'Bradovich left WSCR-AM and joined Chicago Sports Webio. Chicago and bear fans around the world will miss you. A Chicago great. My thoughts and prayers are with Dana and the entire family! A life well lived. Chicago Bears legend Doug Buffone, who played in 186 games for the organization and is considered to be one of the greatest players to ever wear the teams Everybody on the team wanted To wear Butkus's number; I proudly wore 55 ! 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. In addition to the 24 interceptions, Buffone had 10 fumble recoveries, nine forced fumbles and 37 sacks. "He was a very special guy.". Melanie Davidson Banks. RIP #55 You will always be in our hearts!! the former Bears linebacker who died April 20th at age 70 of natural causes. and Love. "It's the old syndrome," Butkus said Tuesday. 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 coroners office 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 went on to play 15 seasons at linebacker for the Bears, retiring in 1980 as the all-time leader in games played for the legendary organization. Javascript is required for the selection of a player. We are terribly saddened to hear of Dougs passing, Bears Chairman George McCaskey said in a statement. "He was a very special guy.". "That bitterness never, ever was there with Doug, ever," he said. My condolences to Dana & children, Mr.Buffone you were a solid contributor to society and the Bears.A real class act God Bless you and your entire family.You will be missed. But Butkus never gives it extended thought. See here for a complete list of exchanges and delays. Our sincere condolences to the Buffone family. We lost one of our greats. He was kind, he was real, he was sincere, he will be truly missed by all. All the accolades he received, he deserved, and then some. The team said in a statement that Buffone "will always be celebrated as one of the Bears greats for his contributions to his team and the fans who loved him. 37:10. You have funeral questions, we have answers. 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 spokesman Thomas Sweeney. He left an indelible impression on the market's young, aspiring broadcasters, including former colleague and current co-host of ESPN Radio's Mike and Mike program, Mike Greenberg. His earlier misses? It's the old thing. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. I was fortunate to meet him a few times at autographing sessions and was in awe of how he handled everyone with a smile, joke and even a story. thank you Doug for making the Bears watchable , your news radio great God Bless rest in peace >>>AMEN. Great athlete! And I think this is going to help the whole situation. Doug Buffone will be missed. #dougbuffone. WebCompare Doug Buffone to . Played 186 games as a Bear, the third most among Bears. Doug was one of the founders of the Arena Football League, starting the Chicago Bruisers franchise, which played in the ArenaBowl II, he appeared on some Bruisers Radio and TV broadcasts with Les Grobstein, and was involved in the United States Football League with the Chicago Blitz. the former Bears linebacker who died The best poems for funerals, memorial services., and cards. Condolences to the family on your loss.. Tucker McKinney. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love. "That bitterness never, ever was there with Doug ever," he said. He channeled his passion for the team and sport into a successful career as a Chicago sports radio personality. Mitch Rosen, WSCR operations director, called Buffone a Chicago original., Not only a great football player, a great person on the radio but more than anything, just a great individual, Rosen said. Listening to him and Ed was great. May god bless the buffone family. Doug was the man. Police were called to Buffones Chicago home on Monday afternoon, where he was found unresponsive in bed. Giving to charity is a meaningful way to honor someone who has died. What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative? Tom Shaer. He was also the last active Bears player who played for the team with George Halas as the head coach. God bless him. He was so proud of you and loved you like a son. A savage warrior with a heart of gold. It was an honor to share the #55 with the first legend to wear it," tweeted Lance Briggs, another former Bears linebacker. Just a great guy. Expand the Memories and Condolences form. Great Player----Better Person. And they've made it a very big deal now. In retirement, Buffone owned restaurants and was a studio host and football analyst for a Chicago radio station. "I don't think anybody that has played for the Bears ever had more.' Buffone was said to have died of natural causes at the age of 70. My prayers and condolences for his family and dear friends. By the time Buffone wrapped up his brilliant career, he led all Bears linebackers with 24 career interceptions. 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. "His was a life really well lived," WSCR-AM broadcaster Dan Bernstein said. He was married to Dana. May you find comfort in knowing that suffering and death will end here on earth. In the 21st century, it's not just urns and gravestones anymore. Buffone was said to have died of natural causes at the age of 70.Butkus said he had been planning to call Buffone to check in last week but never did. Buffone retired after the 1979 season with 24 career interceptions, the most for any Bears linebacker. A great Bear, but a better person. Doug will be fondly remembered through many recaptures of the lives he touched. He led Louisville in tackles three straight years and remains third on the all-time career list for tackles made with 479. Gonna miss him. Hope to see you in Heaven some day. "Doug's passion for the game of football and the Chicago Bears was unmatched, and he will be missed.". In lieu of flowers, charitable donations to Maryville Academy and Mercy Hospital Heart and Vascular Center would be much appreciated. He finished every time., Lifes a beach under the basket for Lemonts Miles Beachum. My sincerest condolences to one of my best friends. 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 Butkus said he had been planning to call Buffone to check in last week but never did. "It drove him nuts when we didn't play well, and we always appreciated that he wore his heart on his sleeve because we knew how much he cared," McCaskey said. CHICAGO -- Former Bears linebacker Doug Buffone, whose reputation for being a passionate football player carried over into his career as a sports broadcaster, His retirement ended a link to our founder as he was the last active player to play for George Halas.. 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. Submit an Obituary. Doug was my football hero. Doug Buffone will be missed." We lost one of our greats. Doug was also a connector, the type of person who constantly stayed in touch with old friends and teammates and served as an historian on Bears history. June 27, 1944 - April 20, 2015 Chicago, Illinois | Age 70 Former Chicago Bears linebacker dies . "I will always remember him for his football talent, sense of humor and enduring friendship," Butkus said. Former Bears linebacker Buffone dies at 70, Top draft prospect Carter charged in fatal crash, Trade Lamar? A friend for 44 years. When I was a little football manager at SVHS, Doug made me feel important to the team. Doug earned huge affection for his powerfully candid post-game show on WSCR-AM 670 with long-time friend and former teammate Ed O'Bradovich. 2 Alabama mounts massive comeback amid ejections to beat Auburn, claim SEC title, Ravens GM says he's 'optimistic' team can get a deal done with QB Lamar Jackson, Aaron Rodgers offers vague update on his NFL future: 'All the answers are right inside me'. The man was later identified as Buffone, who played 14 seasons for the Bears. Doug Buffone will be missed.. Heartfelt sympathy to the Buffone family from an old Yatesboro neighbor and friend. He was the last active player to play for team founder George Halas. Buffone's unbridled Bears enthusiasm made him a must-listen after games, especially following a difficult loss. Thank Mr. Buffone for your hard nose defense that you brought to the Bears. He will always be celebrated as one of the Bears greats for his contributions to his team and the fans who loved him. I am sad that I won't be able to listen to him any more. Butkus admits he's often asked about what might have been had Sayers stayed healthy and extended his career. Deepest Sympathy to the family. "It drove him nuts when we didn't play well and we always appreciated that he wore his heart on his sleeve because we knew how much he cares," McCaskey said in a statement. Cause of death not yet known. I remember your night club BBC off Rush Street. "He was a very special guy. It drove him nuts when we didnt play well and we always appreciated that he wore his heart on his sleeve because we knew how much he cared. A native of Yatesboro, Pennsylvania, Buffone was a fourth-round draft pick by the Bears. There was no one tougher on Sundays than Doug Buffone. David Kessler's top 4 tips for dealing with holiday grief. He died on April 20, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. His rebound downs Marian Catholic. Former Chicago Bears linebacker Doug Buffone's legacy stretches far beyond the football field. ", "His was a life really well lived," WSCR-AM broadcaster Dan Bernstein said. Buffone, who is third on the Bears all-time list in games played, was a member of the Bears for his entire 14-year career, and he holds several records, including sacks in a season and most career interceptions by a linebacker. Smooth and cool., Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. He made a lasting impression as a "man's -man and a genuine nice guy.". Born in Yatesboro, Pennsylvania, Buffone played linebacker and center from 1962 to 1965 at the University of Louisville. [1] Buffone and O'Bradovich re-signed with the Score in late August 2009. Buffone was drafted by the Bears in 1966, spending 15 seasons with the team. One was an air ball., Go big or go home. St Patrick John Class of 1982 and Lake Forest College Class 1986 numbers 51&52 at Belmont & Austin will be at the visitation with a smile.No tears because I believe that number 55 is in heaven as I type this! "It's the Search by Name. "People talk about all that. Could never know a better person and all that did were blessed! All quotes delayed a minimum of 15 minutes. "Even when he was healthy, our rookie year we got close but we just didn't have enough to get into the playoffs. His rebound downs Marian Catholic. A native of Yatesboro, Pa., Buffone was a fourth-round draft pick by the Bears in 1966 out of Louisville. Police say Buffone was found dead in his University Village home in the 1200-block of West Lexington by paramedics Monday afternoon. He teamed with fellow ex-Bears great Ed O'Bradovich on the radio in recent years. Buffone's 14 seasons in Chicago are tied for second most in club history. our prays are with you. ", Oswego Easts Jehvion Starwood steps up with winning 3-pointer in OT. He also had the honor of serving as defensive captain for eight seasons, beginning in 1972. It was an honor to share the #55 with the first legend to wear it, tweeted Lance Briggs, another former Bears linebacker. On "The Score", Buffone also co-hosted shows with Mike North (The Wise Guys) and Norm Van Lier (The Bear and The Bull) as well as other hosts. In a statement, O'Bradovich said: Being with Doug the last 49 years, I know that no one person could love a family more than Doug. CHICAGO (AP) Former Chicago Bears linebacker Doug Buffone, whose reputation for being a passionate football player carried over into his career as a sports broadcaster, was found dead Monday in his . Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Who's Who In Town Caught In Tangled Webio Deal", "Former Bear Doug Buffone found dead at home", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Doug_Buffone&oldid=1140680500, Players of American football from Pennsylvania, People from Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles needing additional references from April 2015, All articles needing additional references, Articles using infobox templates with no data rows, NFL player missing current team parameter, Infobox NFL biography articles missing alt text and caption, Infobox NFL biography articles with old NFL.com URL, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. Thank you for your friendship. At Louisville, Buffone played center and linebacker for coach Frank Camp. 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