Chicago, IL -
The XFL today named legendary Fighting Illini linebacker Dick Butkus as the head coach of its Chicago team. He is the first head coach to be hired by the eight-team league, which will begin play February 3, 2001.
"We're thrilled to have one of professional football's most accomplished all-time players taking the reins here in Chicago," said Ken Valdiserri, VP/GM of the XFL-Chicago team. "Dick Butkus' personality and his style as a player is what we're looking for in the XFL. Chicago is one of America's premier sports towns and richly deserves to have a head coach of Dick's regional and national stature."
"I'm excited to have the opportunity to return to the game of pro football," said Butkus. "The XFL is going to be an extremely competitive league. This is a unique challenge which I'm approaching with the same amount of energy that I had during my playing days."
Butkus was elected to Pro Football's Hall of Fame in 1979 after being drafted in the first round by the Chicago Bears in 1965. His brilliant, nine-year career ended in 1973 following a serious knee injury. Noted for his ferocity, Butkus had 22 lifetime interceptions and 25 fumble recoveries.
"His name is synonymous with football," Valdiserri added. "He brings the kind of respect and credibility that will make our players proud to be playing for this team and this great city."
"We're thrilled to have one of professional football's most accomplished all-time players taking the reins here in Chicago," said Ken Valdiserri, VP/GM of the XFL-Chicago team. "Dick Butkus' personality and his style as a player is what we're looking for in the XFL. Chicago is one of America's premier sports towns and richly deserves to have a head coach of Dick's regional and national stature."
"I'm excited to have the opportunity to return to the game of pro football," said Butkus. "The XFL is going to be an extremely competitive league. This is a unique challenge which I'm approaching with the same amount of energy that I had during my playing days."
Butkus was elected to Pro Football's Hall of Fame in 1979 after being drafted in the first round by the Chicago Bears in 1965. His brilliant, nine-year career ended in 1973 following a serious knee injury. Noted for his ferocity, Butkus had 22 lifetime interceptions and 25 fumble recoveries.
"His name is synonymous with football," Valdiserri added. "He brings the kind of respect and credibility that will make our players proud to be playing for this team and this great city."
News, photos provided by Business Wire.
