Dick Butkus Allowed To Use His Own Name!?!

by Adam T on Apr 9, 2008 11:22 AM CDT in News

Since 1985 the Downtown Athletic Club has held a yearly event at which the year's best players are acknowledged.

The award for the best linebacker is rightfully named after the best linebacker to ever lace up his cleats, Dick Butkus, but apparently they never had to get Butkus' approval to use his name or likeness and he isn't happy.

Butkus sued and won a suit that will remove his name from the award. His main beef is at the awards show's inability to raise money for charity.

Because of this the Downtown Athletic Club has had its accreditation suspended.

They may also owe Dick Butkus a settlement for using his name and image without permission.
Butkus is a staunch charity guy and plans to hold his own linebacker award show from Chicago and use it to raise money for the charities that he supports.

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Good for him

When I first heard about the suit, I thought to myself 'Man another celeb trying to cash in' but when I heard that it was because of LACK of money for charity I changed my mind. Good for him. I hope he is more successful in charitable efforts than the DAC was.

by Sam Householder on Apr 9, 2008 1:20 PM CDT reply actions

I think having the premeiere

linebacker award named after him was an honor.

While I have no issue with him doing what he is doing, I just worry that having two linebacker awards or if his plan doesn't work out having no award named after him takes away from it.

by Adam T on Apr 9, 2008 1:35 PM CDT up reply actions