"He was a very special guy.". "I will always remember him for his football talent, sense of humor and enduring friendship," Butkus said. I am sad that I won't be able to listen to him any more. 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 coroner's office said. Thank Mr. Buffone for your hard nose defense that you brought to the Bears. Police were called to Buffones Chicago home on Monday afternoon, where he was found unresponsive in bed. His rebound downs Marian Catholic. 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 spokesman Thomas Sweeney. I was just happy to be there, to tell you the truth. The Associated Press contributed to this report. I was 10 when I attended tha bobby Douglas football camp at moose heart in the suburbs I remember Doug I got his autograph and recall was very nice and happy to be there rip go bears, My condolences on the painful loss of Doug Buffone. But Butkus never gives it extended thought. Bears chairman George McCaskey noted that Buffone's relationship with the team's fans continued beyond his playing days. Buffone's unbridled Bears enthusiasm made him a must-listen after games, especially following a difficult loss. It was an honor to share the #55 with the first legend to wear it, tweeted Lance Briggs, another former Bears linebacker. Rest in peace big Doug. ", "For 15 seasons, Doug Buffone's play on the football field brought fear to his opponents but joy to his legions of fans here in Chicago," Mayor Rahm Emanuel said in a statement. RIP Doug.I will miss your post game show and all the fun stuff you did on the other shows.BIG DOUG! Paramedics were called to Buffones home in the 1200 block of West Lexington Street around 1:30 p.m. Monday, according to police and fire officials. I remember your night club BBC off Rush Street. A true friend. 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. Buffone is survived by his wife, Dana, and six children: Doug Jr., Stephanie, Talleri, Ryan, Hailey and Heather. 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.". Shamrock John. He was a Pro Bowler in my eyes on my team., In recent years, Buffone hosted a Bears postgame radio show on WSCR-AM 670 with Ed OBradovich. "Doug's passion for the game of football and the Chicago Bears was unmatched, and he will be missed.". Thank You Doug , well done indeed ! Thanks doug. You nick named me "sugar bear" and I accepted it. Thanks Doug for all you did as a player and broadcaster. "It's the old syndrome," Butkus said Tuesday. 63-yo Bodybuilder Doug Brignoles Cause of Death Revealed As Covid-19 Infection Not Vaccination While there was speculation about Brignole's death, L.A. The team said in a statement that Buffone will always be celebrated as one of the Bears greats for his contributions to his team and the fans who loved him. Godspeed to all concerned. He was a good person, a true man's man and utterly devoted to his family and friends. Buffone, a fourth-round draft pick whose 24 interceptions remain the most in club history for a linebacker, There's been a tremendous response to it. CHICAGO (AP) Former Chicago Bears linebacker Doug Buffone, whose reputation for being a passionate football player carried over into his career as a sports broadcaster, was found dead Monday in his home, according to police. A savage warrior with a heart of gold. A visitation service for Buffone will be held at Old St. Pat's Church on Friday from 2-6 p.m. A funeral service will follow. Doug was one of the founders of the Arena Football League, starting the Chicago Bruisers franchise, which played in the ArenaBowl II, he appeared on some Bruisers Radio and TV broadcasts with Les Grobstein, and was involved in the United States Football League with the Chicago Blitz. Former Bear Doug Buffone dies at 70. According to Bears media guides, Buffone also had 10 fumble recoveries, nine forced fumbles and 37 sacks. Postgames will never be the same without him. Copyright 2023 ESPN Internet Ventures. He teamed with fellow ex-Bears great Ed O'Bradovich on the radio in recent years. He spoke at the Fenwick Fathers' Club several times about how much he enjoyed his own high school football days. Over the years I got to know not only the football player, but the Man. "One time for Doug Buffone! CHICAGO -- Former Bears linebacker Doug Buffone, whose reputation for being a passionate football player carried over into his career as a sports broadcaster, Former Chicago Bears linebacker Doug Buffone's legacy stretches far beyond the football field. And he proved it each week over his 14-year career, a tenure record he shared with another great, Bill George, for 33 seasons. Butkus said he had been planning to call Buffone to check in last week but never did. In his post-NFL life, he hosted various Bears talk shows and the post-game shows for the games, co-hosted by former player and teammate Ed O'Bradovich, on 670 The Score. All of us from back home in our Pennsylvania coal mining town were blessed to have him in our lives. Paramedics and police were summoned to Buffone's home on Chicago's West Side and found a 70-year-old man dead from natural causes, said police "He was a very special guy.". Rest in peace, my friend. See here for a complete list of exchanges and delays. Deepest Sympathy to the family. Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you. And he marvels at how much the draft has exploded since he was picked by the Bears a half-century ago, back when the draft was a 20-round affair held in December. Thank you Mr Buffone, your example shows us how to live and to love. All rights reserved, Storm System Could Bring Rain, Snow, and Gusty Winds to Chicago Area Friday, Chicago Police Officer Shot and Killed on Southwest Side, Chicago Police Release Details of What Led to Officer's Fatal Shooting in Gage Park, Who Did Your Ward Vote For? Besides being a hell of a football player, he was a hell of a guy.. He was just a good guy and we had a lot of fun.. Can the Lions fix their defense? 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. When I was a little football manager at SVHS, Doug made me feel important to the team. Food has always been a go-to for people in mourning. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Doug Buffone, Chicago radio host and legendary Chicago Bears linebacker, has died. God Bless, Linda Poulos. Doug gave much pleasure and smiles to all of Chicago once he came aboard his Rookie year. Jupiter and Venus appear to 'kiss' in the sky, Belvidere Jeep assembly plant shut down indefinitely, Chicago Weather: Cloudy and much cooler Thursday. He was so proud of you and loved you like a son. I enjoyed immensly the discussions we had together. You have funeral questions, we have answers. Beloved husband to Dana, devoted father to Doug, Jr., Stephanie, Talleri, Ryan, Hailey and Heather, and grandfather to Nicholas and Avery Buffone, George and Madelyn Loureiro and Evelyn and Henry McKenna. [1] Buffone and O'Bradovich re-signed with the Score in late August 2009. RIP. In a statement, O'Bradovich said: Being with Doug the last 49 years, I know that no one person could love a family more than Doug. Buffone, the son of a coal miner (whose parents were Italian immigrants from the southern province of Cosenza, regione di Calabria), attended high school at Shannock Valley High School in Rural Valley, Pennsylvania. RIP # 55. It was my privilege to know Doug for 32 years, going back to when he owned Doug Buffone's Bear Report. RIP Doug Buffone. Bernstein said he has encountered former football players who were bitter about what they had to sacrifice. Gonna miss him. We are praying for you and family. A staple of the Bears' defense in the mid-1960s until his retirement following the 1979 season, Buffone arrived in Chicago in 1966 when team founder George Halas selected the linebacker in the fourth round of the NFL draft out of Louisville. ", Oswego Easts Jehvion Starwood steps up with winning 3-pointer in OT. It's hard to say. Chicago Bears legend Doug Buffone, who played in 186 games for the organization and is considered to be one of the greatest players to ever wear the teams uniform, died Monday at the age of 70. (670 The Score) Monday marked the five-year anniversary of beloved former Bears linebacker and Score personality Doug Buffone's death at age 70. I was fortunate enough to have Doug as a mentor, teammate, & friend at the University of Louisville. Grief researchers say holding that missing funeral service, even a year or more later, can still help us heal. So sad to lose a boyhood friend. He was selected in the fourth round of the 1966 NFL draft out of Louisville. Buffone co-hosted "Chicago NFL Live" on "The Score" WSCR 670 AM, as well as Bears postgame with Ed O'Bradovich, and recently completed 14 seasons of The Doug Buffone Show on Fox Sports Net Chicago. RIP blueline EOG Master Apr 20, 2015 #2 Re: Former Bear Doug Buffone dies at 70 only show at WSCR I made it a point to listen to RIP John Kelly Born Gambler Staff member Apr 20, 2015 #3 Re: Former Bear Doug Buffone dies at 70 There was many a walk back to the car after a Bears game where I said, "I can't wait to hear what Doug has to say about this game." So admired, and deservedly so. I will be 60 years old this year and have been a Bears season ticket holder since 1980. [2] Also, Buffone had a blog on his website where he posted his opinions on sports.[3]. (Reuters) - Doug Buffone, a linebacker who played 14 seasons for the National Football League's Chicago Bears before retiring in 1980 as the franchise's all-time leader in games played, died on Monday at the age of 70, the team said. I have fond memories of our boyhood days in Yatesboro. Buffone's company Digital One is the creator of ClickStreamTV, an online video platform product that was designed for small to medium-sized businesses. 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 spokesman Thomas Sweeney. We lost one of our greats. Statement from Bears Chairman George McCaskey: "We are terribly saddened to hear of Dougs passing. Former Bears running back Ronnie Bull recalled the challenge of having to practice against the likes of Buffone, O'Bradovich and Butkus. Enjoy that great football field in the sky. He will be missed. After games, especially following a difficult loss fun stuff you did as doug buffone cause of death mentor,,. `` we are terribly saddened to hear of Dougs passing several times about how he... Much he enjoyed his own high school football days on Monday afternoon, where he his... 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