you were a good friend and I am proud that I knew you and your family. 500) as one of seven children. I enjoyed immensly the discussions we had together. "There was no one tougher on Sundays than Doug Buffone." "We are terribly saddened to hear of Doug's passing," Bears chairman George McCaskey said in a statement. Buffone, a fourth-round draft pick whose 24 interceptions remain the most in club history for a linebacker, was found dead in his Chicago home, the coroners office said. Ravens GM says he covets QBs, Montana SB jersey breaks Brady's auction record, Colts GM pins moving up to 'guy worthy of it', McCarthy: 'New voice' calling plays will help Dak, Out of dark, Rodgers vows decision coming soon, Survey: Vikes, Fins, Raiders top FA report cards, Chargers GM halts speculation: Allen staying put. Condolences to the family. I cannot tell you how much I will miss him.. He teamed with fellow ex-Bears great Ed O'Bradovich on the radio in recent years. I'm going to miss BIG DOUG! Number 55 is officially retired.Rest in peace,Doug. "As I have loved you, Love one another" As the summertime approaches I am deeply aware of the extent to which Love has changed my life,The Love of strangers, for those in distress,The Love of family, The Love of Friends; And the ineffiable Love of Our Father in Heaven as expressed in the Gospels's Plan of Salvation and as Manifest in the Peace it gives in the face of devastating loss May His Love bring to you and your family the Peace is has brought to me this day and throughtout the coming days. Buffone and his family resided in Chicago, and he was heavily involved in Chicago sports and broadcasting. Postgames will never be the same without him. He also had the honor of serving as defensive captain for eight seasons, beginning in 1972. Can the Lions fix their defense? Remember taking Doug and several players to a local Catholic Church the day that JFK died. I met Buz at the Bears training camp in Rensselaer, Indiana in 1969, through his teammate and my best friend, Willie Holman. He was a kind and very well respected person throughout his earthly life. Doug, God has brought you home for the rest and comfort of a life well lived. RIP Doug.I will miss your post game show and all the fun stuff you did on the other shows.BIG DOUG! It was an exhibition game in 1966. You nick named me "sugar bear" and I accepted it. RIP Our prayers to your family! He was married to Dana. I will be 60 years old this year and have been a Bears season ticket holder since 1980. All of us from back home in our Pennsylvania coal mining town were blessed to have him in our lives. In May 2009, Buffone and his long-time Bears post-game partner Ed O'Bradovich left WSCR-AM and joined Chicago Sports Webio. However, in June 2009, the founder of Chicago Sports Webio was charged with operating a Ponzi scheme, and the site was shut down. [1] Buffone and O'Bradovich re-signed with the Score in late August 2009. So sad to lose a boyhood friend. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Search by Name. Food has always been a go-to for people in mourning. Over the years I got to know not only the football player, but the Man. He spoke at the Fenwick Fathers' Club several times about how much he enjoyed his own high school football days. Gonna miss him. In a statement, Hall of Famer Dick Butkus, who played alongside Buffone on the Bears for seven years, said a "great man" was lost. There was no one tougher on Sundays than Doug Buffone. Buffone, a well-liked and passionate linebacker who played 14 seasons for the Bears, was found dead at his home. RIP. "He will always be celebrated as one of the Bears' greats for his contributions to his team and the fans who loved him. Doug Buffone loved to tell stories, especially the one about his first game against the rival Packers. Thanks Doug for all you did as a player and broadcaster. "This is kind of a lull in the year. to laugh at yourself. God bless him. Syracuse Post Standard. Enjoy that great football field in the sky. My condolences and sympathy go out to Doug's family and worldwide friends. "But the meek will possess the earth, And they will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace." Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? He had 1,257 tackles, going over the 100 tackle mark in seven seasons. He provided broadcast color commentary for the first NFL game (featuring the Bears and the Dallas Cowboys) in Europe. Buffone played in 186 games for the Bears, making 1,257 tackles and going over the 100-tackle mark in seven seasons. At Louisville, Buffone played center and linebacker for coach Frank Camp. Everybody on the team wanted To wear Butkus's number; I proudly wore 55 ! Buffone was an entrepreneur, and part owner of several Chicago area businesses, including "Gibson's Steak House", one of the most popular nightspots in Chicago's Rush Street area, and Digital One, a video production and streaming video company in the Chicago suburbs. Love for the game - good citizen - living life with a passion - Let the person who is perfect in life - please stand - Only God is perfect; Mr. Buffone you caught the football and carried it for a touchdown to the gates of Heaven. Portrait. In retirement, Buffone owned restaurants and was a studio host and football analyst for a Chicago radio station. "That bitterness never, ever was there with Doug ever," he said. The pride Doug brought to the community in which he grew up could never be measured. 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. Butkus said he had been planning to call Buffone to check in last week but never did. Dougs passion for the game of football and the Chicago Bears was unmatched and he will be missed. 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. "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. "It drove him nuts when we didn't play well, and we always appreciated that he wore his heart on his sleeve because we knew how much he cared," McCaskey said. I am sad that I won't be able to listen to him any more. 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. He was a fourth-round draft pick. Doug Buffone (Douglas John Buffone) was born on 27 June, 1944 in Yatesboro, Pennsylvania, USA, is an Actor. Paramedics and police were summoned to Buffone's home on Chicago's West Side and found a 70-year-old man dead due to natural causes, said police Doug was the man. He is known for The NFL on CBS (1956), NFL Monday Night Football (1970) and The NFL on NBC (1965). My sincerest condolences to one of my best friends. Beyond my incredible respect for him he was a guy I loved, just like everybody I know who ever met him. I am Dyke's 1st cousin. Later, when he was a guest co-host or scheduled football analyst with me we got to know each other even better. His earlier misses? Buffone is one of only four players to lead UofL in tackles for three consecutive seasons. My condolence to the Buffone Family> I had the pleasure of watching him play and then listening to him on the radio. He was a Bears rookie. You played the game with unmatchable passion! Buffone, a fourth-round draft pick whose 24 interceptions remain the most in club history for a linebacker, was found dead in his Chicago home, the coroners office "Doug had a lot of passion for the Bears,' former teammate Mike Ditka said. ol' buddy! Rest in peace with all the angels and saints. Say hi to Vince Lombardi and all the other men that played with their Heart. While we seldom saw each other after he left RV, anytime we crossed paths, he always conducted himself as if we were old friends. The Bears selected him in the fourth round of the 1966 NFL draft and he chose the team over a better contract offer from San Diego in the old AFL. Jupiter and Venus appear to 'kiss' in the sky, Belvidere Jeep assembly plant shut down indefinitely, Chicago Weather: Cloudy and much cooler Thursday. His rebound downs Marian Catholic. Bernstein said he has encountered former football players who were bitter about what they had to sacrifice. Mr Buffone has always been a true ambassador for Chicago, the Bears, and the NFL. He teamed with fellow ex-Bears great Ed O'Bradovich on the radio in recent years. The (NFL) has just done a great job of marketing the game. Tom Shaer. Tribune reporter Carlos Sadovi contributed. The Buffone Family is in my prayers. Your legacy will live forever in my heart and mind.. Bear Down! Death of Doug Buffone. Buffone played in 186 games for the Bears, making 1,257 tackles and going over the 100-tackle mark in seven seasons. A native of Yatesboro, Pennsylvania, Buffone was a fourth-round draft pick by the Bears. FYI the boy could dance.". (CBS) Legendary Chicago Bear and 670 The Score Bears postgame co-host Doug Buffone has died at 70. A native of Yatesboro, Pa., Buffone was a fourth-round draft pick by the Bears in 1966 out of Louisville. One time for Doug Buffone! Javascript is required for the selection of a player. Choice is: Ex: Ray Lewis, Junior Seau. By the time Buffone wrapped up his brilliant career, he led all Bears linebackers with 24 career interceptions. I'm sure my dad is dancing and singing (two of his favorite things) in heaven having you up there with him. Doug gave much pleasure and smiles to all of Chicago once he came aboard his Rookie year. Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you. One was an air ball., Go big or go home. His rebound downs Marian Catholic. R.I.P. Former Bears coach Mike Ditka said Buffone had a lot of passion for the team, adding he has "nothing but great memories about him.". Could the Cowboys look at a running back in first round again? Buffone went on to play 15 seasons at linebacker for the Bears, retiring in 1980 as the all-time leader in games played for the legendary organization. Doug brought us all so much joy.."I am a 70 year woman who listens to The Score often, and I always loved Doug's passion and honesty.he made me smile. Many believe Buffones accomplishments on the field were overshadowed because he played next to a Hall of Fame teammate in Butkus. (670 The Score) Monday marked the five-year anniversary of beloved former Bears linebacker and Score personality Doug Buffone's death at age 70. He will be missed by all he touched. All quotes delayed a minimum of 15 minutes. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Who's Who In Town Caught In Tangled Webio Deal", "Former Bear Doug Buffone found dead at home", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Doug_Buffone&oldid=1140680500, Players of American football from Pennsylvania, People from Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles needing additional references from April 2015, All articles needing additional references, Articles using infobox templates with no data rows, NFL player missing current team parameter, Infobox NFL biography articles missing alt text and caption, Infobox NFL biography articles with old NFL.com URL, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. Buffone was said to have died of natural causes at the age of 70. "He was a very special guy. Statement from Bears Chairman George McCaskey: "We are terribly saddened to hear of Dougs passing. More in Sports Obituary Read. 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. Dana and family, be assured of my prayers. "His talent for tackling on the field earned him a special place in Bears history and his contributions in business and broadcasting made him a treasured member of our community off the field. My condolences to the Buffone family. Adored his children and his Dana. God Bless, Linda Poulos. His retirement ended a link to our founder as he was the last active player to play for George Halas. Smooth and cool., Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Doug was a lifelong entrepreneur, owning enterprises as varied as an embroidery company and a high-tech online video platform. RIP # 55. I should have made the call. Reporting by Steve Ginsburg in Washington; Editing by Peter Cooney. Thread starter richsox24; Start date Apr 20, 2015; richsox24 Apr 20, 2015 #1 Just reported. ", "His was a life really well lived," WSCR-AM broadcaster Dan Bernstein said. I send my sympathy and prayers to Doug's (Dyke's) family. One was an air ball., Go big or go home. He left an indelible impression on the market's young, aspiring broadcasters, including former colleague and current co-host of ESPN Radio's Mike and Mike program, Mike Greenberg. Buffone later laughed recalling how the real source of the odor was a dead rat they found in his locker buried beneath his stuff. Expand the Memories and Condolences form. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. Deepest Sympathy to the family. In May 2009, Buffone and his long-time Bears post-game partner Ed O'Bradovich left WSCR-AM and joined Chicago Sports Webio. Veteran head coach Frank Camp, who tutored NFL greats like Johnny Unitas, Lenny Lyles, Ernie Green and Ken Kortas, said Buffone was "the most complete ball player I've ever coached.". Doug played, was all about head trauma. Radio host and legendary Chicago Bears linebacker Doug Buffone dies at 70 (Photo: 1977), quoted by the Tribune from his radio show. If youre in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist. Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. Doug was one of the best partners I ever had on the air, a treat to listen to on his own, an outstanding football player and a better man. 32 NFL players who could change teams this offseason, Disputed loan at center of Commanders probe, 2023 NFL franchise tag tracker: Commanders' Payne first to be tagged, Meet the man scouring Nigeria for the next generation of NBA and NFL talent, 2023 NFL combine preview: 15 future fantasy football stars to watch. Copyright 2023 ESPN Internet Ventures. Great Player----Better Person. I never had the honor and privilege of meeting Doug but I listened to him on the radio religiously. 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