To be honest, it can be pretty jarring to see an older athlete join the social media world. While most of us are terminally addicted to every screen that enters our vision sphere, you’d think a legend would want to stay away from such troubles and just bask in their many accomplishments.
But alas: Fame (and fortune) can bring even the very best of us to give into #online insular communities.
The latest legend to cash in their chips and see what Twitter’s all about is Bears Hall of Famer Dick Butkus. Butkus, of course, is synonymous with not only the Bears but that whole idea of football being brutal, unforgiving, and a complete slog at times.
The 79-year-old Butkus had been on Twitter since September 2020 but, for whatever reason, wasn’t verified, and as such, not many knew he was active amongst us ordinary citizens. That is no longer a problem, as the former bruising linebacker now has a trusty blue checkmark, signifying that, yes, it is the real Dick Butkus, next to his name.
And let me tell you: While it’s easy to get used to, reading “blue checkmark” in Butkus’s voice (someone who used to intimidate massive grown men in a different social era); isn’t something I expected to see on a random Friday afternoon.
just like that got the blue hashmark
now lets start calling out all of the doubters— Dick Butkus (@thedickbutkus) January 21, 2022
With Butkus verified, we can be positive the Illinois native is only going to use his platform for good, meaning, tweeting out his every random thought and casual observation like the rest of us. His first order of business with that blue checkmark was a little more focused. It was a message more in line with what he used to do for a living back in the day: Harassing a Packers quarterback.
After countless knee surgeries and decades away from football, he managed to sack Aaron Rodgers this time.
now that i have the blue mark i can kick people off of the platfrom right
you hear me @AaronRodgers12
— Dick Butkus (@thedickbutkus) January 21, 2022
Folks, he’s still got it. A current Monster of the Midway like Khalil Mack could only hope to sack a Packers quarterback when he’s in his late 70s.
In truth, we should all strive to thrive like Butkus in our Golden Years.