Dick Butkus, the great former NFL linebacker, died Thursday. He was 80 years old.

A statement distributed by the Bears and attributed to Butkus’ family said he died in his sleep overnight at his home in Malibu, Calif. Butkus’ widow Helen and their family appreciates “your prayers and support,” the team said.

TMZ was the first to report the news, stating Butkus was found unresponsive at his home, and paramedics responded to a call for a patient in cardiac arrest at his home. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Dick was the ultimate Bear, and one of the greatest players in NFL history,” Bears chairman George McCaskey said in a statement, per the Chicago Sun Times. “He was Chicago’s son. He exuded what our great city is about and, not coincidently, what George Halas looked for in a player: toughness, smarts, instincts, passion and leadership. He refused to accept anything less than the best from himself, or from his teammates. When we dedicated the George Halas statue at our team headquarters, we asked Dick to speak at the ceremony, because we knew he spoke for Papa Bear.

“Dick had a gruff manner, and maybe that kept some people from approaching him, but he actually had a soft touch. His legacy of philanthropy included a mission of ridding performance enhancing drugs from sports and promoting heart health. His contributions to the game he loved will live forever and we are grateful he was able to be at our home opener this year to be celebrated one last time by his many fans.”

Butkus, a 6-foot-3, 245-pound linebacker out of University of Illinois was selected third overall in the 1965 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, a team he played his entire career for until 1973.

He was nducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979 in his first year of eligibility. He started all 119 games he played for the Bears, earning six All-NFL selections, two Defensive Player of the Year honors and was selected for eight Pro Bowls. He had 1,020 tackles, 22 interceptions and 27 fumble recoveries over nine seasons.

The Bears retired his No. 51 jersey in 1994.

Hollywood cameras found him after football. Commercials for Miller Lite, Visa and more resulted in a number of appearances in TV and film. He was also a CBS analyst.

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

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.