The linebacker played his entire nine-year NFL career with the Chicago Bears, which was appropriate as his intimidating 6’ 3”, 245lb size made him look like a bear.

Born today in 1942, Butkus is regarded as one of the league’s greatest players in his position. He played for the University of Illinois before being drafted by the Bears in 1965.

In his rookie season, Butkus led the Bears in tackles, interceptions, forced fumbles, and fumble recoveries, and regularly led the team in these categories throughout his career. Butkus made eight Pro Bowls and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979.

A knee injury forced him to retire in 1973 and since his playing days he has become a well known broadcaster on NFL games while he also enjoyed a successful career as an actor, appearing in the American football classic Any Given Sunday in 1999.

1949: Tom Kite, American golfer and golf course architect. Has 19 PGA Tour victories and won the 1992 US Open (66).

1969: Bixente Lizarazu, former Bordeaux and Bayern Munich left-back. Won the 1998 World Cup with France (46).

1978: Gaston Gaudio, Argentinian former tennis player. Won French Open in 2004 and reached World No5 in 2005 (37).

1982: Ryan Grant, former NFL running back with the Green Bay Packers, with whom he won Super Bowl XLV (33).