He was always engaging, wore his heart on his sleeve, and was a conduit to the Bears fans through the great Doug and OB Post Game shows. Buffone and his family resided in Chicago, and he was heavily involved in Chicago sports and broadcasting. Could never know a better person and all that did were blessed! May you find comfort in knowing that suffering and death will end here on earth. All rights reserved. It's hard to say. The bottom line is he was true and loyal to his family, to football and to his friends. I'm sure my dad is dancing and singing (two of his favorite things) in heaven having you up there with him. RIP #55 You will always be in our hearts!! Buffone, Doug Every man's death diminishes us, but that holds double for legends like Doug Buffone. Paramedics were called to Buffone's Chicago home Monday afternoon, where they found the popular linebacker-turned-broadcaster unresponsive, police said. "One of the most memorable drafts in Bears history came 50 years ago, a 20-player haul that was defined by the two players taken at the top of the first round with Butkus selected third overall and running back Gale Sayers taken with the very next pick in the round.Butkus was named to the Pro Bowl after his first eight seasons, a vicious and powerful playmaker on defense. thank you Doug for making the Bears watchable , your news radio great God Bless rest in peace >>>AMEN. Condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time. He provided broadcast color commentary for the first NFL game (featuring the Bears and the Dallas Cowboys) in Europe. Buffone was drafted by the Bears in 1966, spending 15 seasons with the team. He Thanks doug. He was so proud of you and loved you like a son. I will be 60 years old this year and have been a Bears season ticket holder since 1980. Jr.(Harry) Paul, Bill, John and Doug were always together. Deepest Sympathy to the family. This is a big event. RIP friend. "But the meek will possess the earth, And they will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace." He teamed with fellow ex-Bears great Ed O'Bradovich on the radio in recent years. His retirement from football also signaled the end of an era for the Bears as he was the last active Bear to have played for George Halas. Godspeed to all concerned. Copyright 2023 ESPN Internet Ventures. My condolences to Dana and the children. "He will always be celebrated as one of the Bears' greats for his contributions to his team and the fans who loved him. Unfortunately he played on some of the worst Bear teams in history, and never got the chance to play in any post season games except for a 1st round game in 1977. He was a great player and even better person after football. Enjoy that great football field in the sky. The man was later identified as Buffone, who played 14 seasons for the Bears. It seemed to me he was lucky that he never had any serious injuries while he played with me, Dick Butkus said. Paramedics were called to Buffones home in the 1200 block of West Lexington Street around 1:30 p.m. Monday, according to police and fire officials. God Bless his soul and now eternal life through Jesus Christ. I should have made the call. Doug Buffone will be missed.". Your legacy will live forever in my heart and mind.. Bear Down! So sad to lose a boyhood friend. Bernstein said he has encountered former football players who were bitter about what they had to sacrifice. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Doug Buffone, Chicago radio host and legendary Chicago Bears linebacker, has died. 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 In a statement, Hall of Famer Dick Butkus, who played alongside Buffone on the Bears for seven years, said a "great man" was lost. My condolences and sympathy go out to Doug's family and worldwide friends. Web70 Recently Passed Away Celebrities and Famous People. with funeral mass to follow at 6 pm. Dear Dana, Kay Varga and I are thinking of you and sending you heartfelt prayers to give you strength to help you through this most difficult time. "Butkus remembered Buffone as a hard-working teammate who spent his 14 seasons with the Bears invested in the team rather than chasing his own personal glory. My condolence to the Buffone Family> I had the pleasure of watching him play and then listening to him on the radio. To plant trees in memory, please visit the. More in Sports Obituary Read. You will be greatly missed old friend. Great person. He led Louisville in tackles three straight years and remains third on the all-time career list for tackles made with 479. Buffone was pronounced dead on the scene Monday Paramedics and police were summoned to Buffone's home on Chicago's West Side and found a 70-year-old man dead from natural causes, said police It's the old thing. If youre in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist. ", "For 15 seasons, Doug Buffone's play on the football field brought fear to his opponents but joy to his legions of fans here in Chicago," Mayor Rahm Emanuel said in a statement. Just to say hello and find out what they were doing because I was going to be in town also (for the NFL draft next week) where maybe we could hook up somewhere. Giving to charity is a meaningful way to honor someone who has died. 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. (Reporting by Steve Ginsburg in Washington; Editing by Peter Cooney), The Rush: Suns Kevin Durant dazzles in his debut against the Hornets, Sexual assault lawsuit against Jerry Jones revived after appeal, likely headed for trial, No. Buffone retired with 24 career interceptions to lead all Bear linebackers. You taught me that it's o.k. Police News Affairs said he was pronounced dead on the scene. 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. His earlier misses? Butkus said he had been planning to call Buffone to check in last week but never did. He was selected in the fourth round of the 1966 NFL draft out of Louisville. He also had the honor of serving as defensive captain for eight seasons, beginning in 1972. Sadly, the personification of class and humility,is no longer with us. ESPN'sJeff Dickerson andThe Associated Press contributed to this report. Buffone died due to natural causes, said police spokesman Thomas Sweeney. Javascript is required for the selection of a player. Doug was an excellent linebacker and had great career. "People talk about all that. Dougs passion for the game of football and the Chicago Bears was unmatched and he will be missed. Heartfelt sympathy to the Buffone family from an old Yatesboro neighbor and friend. Doug Buffone will be missed.. "It's the old syndrome," Butkus said Tuesday. I want to extend my warm wishes to Doug's family for comfort and hope his love will keep you all forever. 1 sport. My condolences to the family and he will be truly missed! "He was a very special guy.". I never had the honor and privilege of meeting Doug but I listened to him on the radio religiously. Offering my sincere condolences. RIP Doug Buffone. Buffone and his family resided in Chicago, and he was heavily involved in Chicago sports and broadcasting. "That bitterness never, ever was there with Doug ever," he said. Played 186 games as a Bear, the third most among Bears. The first time he came, as a Bear ,to play New Orleans, where I was an engineer at Chevron, he brought 4 of his teammates over to eat with me and my wife and for years that's all the neighbor's could talk about. I have nothing but great memories about him., Doug was a Bear. RIP Doug.I will miss your post game show and all the fun stuff you did on the other shows.BIG DOUG! 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. I was just happy to be there, to tell you the truth. "I will always remember him for his football talent, sense of humor and enduring friendship," Butkus said. 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. Buffone is survived by his wife, Dana, and six children: Doug Jr., Stephanie, Talleri, Ryan, Hailey and Heather. [1] Buffone and O'Bradovich re-signed with the Score in late August 2009. A gentle giant. I Had the pleasure of working for him at BBC. I remember your night club BBC off Rush Street. We grew up in Yatesboro together. Tom Shaer. A great Bear, but a better person. Chicago Bears linebacker Doug Buffone. I was a little girl, during the first half of his football career, he always treated me like I was special when I would see him or go to one of his games. Doug Buffone will be missed.". My sincerest condolences to one of my best friends. "Sending our heartfelt condolences to family & friends of ex-#Bears LB Doug Buffone, who has passed away at age 70,"the Chicago Bears tweeted. Portrait. 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 . By the time Buffone wrapped up his brilliant career, he led all Bears linebackers with 24 career interceptions. 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. NFL draft questions for teams in the top 10: Will the Colts trade up? Hope to see you in Heaven some day. Beginning in the 1990s, Buffone became a fixture on Chicago sports talk radio and local television. WebCompare Doug Buffone to . Food has always been a go-to for people in mourning. Former Bears coach Mike Ditka said Buffone had a lot of passion for the team, adding he has "nothing but great memories about him.". A fearsome linebacker during a 14-year career, Doug transitioned into an instinctively honest analyst of the Bears, more or less, beginning with his retirement in 1979. Police say Buffone was found dead in his University Village home in the 1200-block of West Lexington by paramedics Monday afternoon. One was an air ball., Go big or go home. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Doug Sr was a man of honor and humor, and will be missed by many. only met a couple times.. truly a class act .. Condolences to his friends and family. He was very cordial and friendly to the people attending the luncheon and was truly interested in our thoughts about the Bears and life in general. Visitation on Friday at Old St. Patrick's Church, 700 W. Adams, Friday at 2 pm. He was a kind and very well respected person throughout his earthly life. Published by Chicago Sun-Times on Apr. "Today is a sad day for Bears nation," said former Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher, who like Buffone played his entire career with the team. He was a Bears rookie. #bearslegend #55. Our sincere condolences to the Buffone family. Doug was a great friend to all of us. I remember spending a day with you and your twins at Kim Baker's pool and recall the love you have for your familywhich will remain strong in your heart. 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. He will not soon be forgotten.I hope the promise at Isaiah 65:20 will bring comfort to the Buffone family. 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