Remembering Dave Butz, one of Washington’s best

We remember the great Dave Butz.

When I remember Dave Butz (1950-2022) I will always first recall his helmet.

Dave Butz was a Washington legend at defensive tackle. He plugged gaps, drove interior offensive lineman back into the pocket, took on double teams. batted down passes. He did whatever was necessary and he did it all well.

Upon hearing of his death, former teammate and Washington quarterback Joe Theismann tweeted, “Lost a dear friend today. Dave Butz. Dave, Mark Mosley and I used to ride to games together. A true gentle giant. Rest In Peace my friend.”

Butz was brought to Washington by then coach George Allen in a trade with the St Louis Cardinals (a NFC East divisional foe in those days). Butz performed wonderfully, many times a force inside for the Redskins from the 1975-1988 seasons.

Butz anchored the best defensive line in Washington history along with defensive tackle Darryl Grant and ends Dexter Manley and Charles Mann.

Butz was a huge force in the line’s success making it difficult to run on Washington. He started three Super Bowls and four NFC Championship games, earning two Super Bowl rings (XVII, XXII).

The former Purdue Boilermaker was drafted fifth overall in the 1973 NFL Draft by the Cardinals. However, when injury limited Butz to one game in the ’74 season, he was traded to Washington.

By the time he put on the Burgundy and Gold, Butz became an iron man, so dependable, that during his 14 years Butz remarkably missed only four regular season games. How does a defensive tackle in the NFL miss only four games in 14 seasons?

He never scored an NFL touchdown, but playing on the inside, he did register 64 quarterback sacks and recovered seven fumbles.

When Joe Gibbs came to Washington, he lost his first five games. Some may recall, that it was Dave Butz who read a short passing route, scooted to his right along the line and intercepted a Vince Evans pass, returning it 26 yards to the 1 yard line. It was a big play in getting Gibbs his first NFL win.

Butz had a career year in 1983, recording 11.5 sacks, making 1st Team All-Pro. In 1986, at age 36, Butz remained an anchor on the inside, recording 6 sacks for Washington who finished 12-4, won two playoff games before falling to eventual Super Bowl Champ New York Giants in the NFC Championship game.

Butz often did not have much to say. He didn’t seek out reporters following games. But he did see to it that his son on more than a few occasions was able to come down to the field with Dave at the closing minutes of games.

Perhaps Butz was simply more interested in being dad in those moments than ensuring he be seen on national and local television?

That’s pretty much how he played his entire career. Get the job done, let the others make all the noise.

Following his career he remained rather soft-spoken, reserved, secure in his career accomplishments as one of the 70 Greatest Redskins and 3-time Super Bowl Champion. RIP, Dave Butz.