NFL Hall of Famer Dick Butkus' Cause of Death Revealed

The former Chicago Bears linebacker died at 80 on Oct. 5

Dick Butkus, NFL Hall of Fame linebacker, died as a result of a "cerebrovascular accident," CBS Sports said on Wednesday, according to his death certificate from the Los Angeles Department of Public Health. The condition is more commonly known as a stroke.

Atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat), high cholesterol, and atherosclerosis (thick/hardened arteries) were listed as secondary causes. His death certificate also stated that in 2001, Butkus underwent coronary bypass surgery.

PEOPLE confirmed with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's office that the Chicago Bears legend passed away at the age of 80 on Oct. 5. TMZ Sports was first to break the news.

Related: Paying Tribute to the Celebrities Who Have Died in 2023

The Bears organization also shared a statement from Butkus’ family that the retired athlete "died peacefully in his sleep overnight."

"The Butkus Family confirms that football and entertainment legend Dick Butkus died peacefully in his sleep overnight at home in Malibu, Calif.," the statement said. "The Butkus family is gathering with Dick's wife Helen. They appreciate your prayers and support."

His professional football career began in college where he was a linebacker at the University of Illinois from 1962 to 1964. One of his most defining moments during that time was winning the Heisman Trophy.

"All I ever wanted to do was to play football. It was a human factor that got me to come here to Illinois," Butkus said in 2016 after the University of Illinois retired his number. "I’m very proud to be a former Illini. I’ll always be an Illini."

Following his college career, Butkus nearly had the Chicago Bears and the Denver Broncos in a bidding war over his talents at the 1965-66 NFL draft. Ultimately, he felt more at home in his hometown.

Related: Roger Goodell, Athletes and More React to Dick Butkus’ Death: 'One of the NFL's All-Time Greats'

His athleticism was so revered that Sylvester Stallone paid tribute to the linebacker by naming his dog in Rocky after Butkus.

When the pro baller retired in 1973, he left the sport with an enviable record — 1,020 tackles, 22 interceptions and 27 fumble recoveries. Butkus was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979.

Though he was no longer running plays, Butkus remained close to the game. He worked as a sports commentator, still rooting for his home team.

"I loved doing that. The Bears were so good and when we went to the Super Bowl, it was a great year to broadcast because you knew they were going to win, and you just make it exciting,” Butkus told WGN last year. “They were something else. That team was really something, man."

He didn’t stop there.

Butkus also caught the acting bug on My Two Dads, which ran from September 1987 to April 1990. He had a recurring role on the sitcom as diner owner Ed Klawicki, who was also a former football player.

Butkus is survived by his wife, Helen, and three children, Ricky, Matt, and Nikki.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.