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The Commanders announced his passing Friday on their website. No
cause of death was provided.
Former Washington quarterback Joe Theismann took to Twitter to
reflect on his former teammate.
"Lost a dear friend today. Dave Butz," Theismann wrote. "Dave,
Mark Mosley and I used to ride to games together. A true gentle
giant. Rest In Peace my friend."
Butz received All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl selection after
registering 11.5 sacks in 16 games for Washington in 1983. He
was named to the NFL's 1980s All-Decade Team and helped
Washington capture two championships with victories over the
Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XVII and the Denver Broncos in
Super Bowl XXII.
He recorded 64 sacks, seven fumble recoveries and two
interceptions in 216 career games (191 starts) with the then-St.
Louis Cardinals and Washington franchise. The Cardinals selected
Butz with the fifth overall pick of the 1973 NFL Draft, however
he joined Washington after a mistake in his contract led him to
becoming a free agent.
Commissioner Pete Rozelle ruled that Washington had to send St.
Louis a pair of first-round picks and a second-round selection
to complete the deal.
"We're heartbroken over the loss of Washington Legend Dave Butz,
a 2x Super Bowl champion and member of our Ring of Fame and 90
Greatest list," the Commanders wrote on Twitter. "Sending our
deepest condolences to Dave's family and friends."
During the 1987 season, Butz checked himself out of a hospital
to play in Washington's game against the New York Jets despite
an illness. He made the game-saving sack on Ken O'Brien before
returning to the hospital after the game.
Butz's name resides in the Ring of Fame at FedExField.
--Field Level Media
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