I swear, Greg, there was a time when I felt LB'rs were IT... above QB's, WAY above WR's... RB's were in the running... but it was LB'rs that got my motor running.
I WISH to hell I could specifically name this particular play... link a youtube of it... but I once saw Butkus stop a KNOWN and I believe HOF RB, (although I can't recall who), in a play that defined football for me. Already suffering from bad knees he stood completely upright as the RB broke through the line and hit him at full momentum and with shoulder's lowered... Butkus couldn't bend over, (you may recall, bad knees), and was standing upright on impact.
He didn't give a friggin' INCH. The run stopped DEAD in it's tracks... then Butkus drove him backwards. The stop defied physics. I know the video must be out there but I haven't found it...
I do remember seeing it in replay...long ago.. and I think they added some extra footage of an unrelated play to highlight that tackle showing Dick's eyes... it was like Singletary, but even more so. I'm not easily intimidated...and I KNOW most great players are not.... but that look from Butkus would send the bravest of souls scurrying for cover. - JamesJM
