All - Time NFL Team

I was saddened by yesterday’s news that Chicago Bears linebacking legend Dick Butkus has passed. He was a treat on and off the field. Actually, on the field, he was only a treat to fans of the Bears and those that football. He was no treat to opposing offenses. To them, he was a beast. A novice to football would learn a lot about the sport simply by watching a highlight reel of Butkus. His play, and name, screams football. Butkus! Even rival fans had to love Butkus. If not that, they certainly had to respect him off the way he played. I came to football as Butkus was leaving it. I wish that I had seen him play. 

While thinking about Dick Butkus, I couldn’t help but think of his teammates on an All - Time NFL Team. 

RIP Dick Butkus.

Offense

Quarterback

Otto Graham, Cleveland Browns

Fullback
Jim Brown, Cleveland Browns

Halfback

Walter Payton, Chicago Bears

Receivers
Jerry Rice, San Francisco 49ers
Randy Moss, Minnesota Vikings/Raiders/Patriots/Titans

Tight End
Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots

Left Tackle
Jim Parker, Baltimore Colts

Right Tackle

Forrest Gregg, Green Bay Packers

Left Guard
Randall McDaniel, Minnesota Vikings

Right Guard

Joe DeLamielleure, Buffalo Bills/Browns

Center
Mel Hein, New York Giants

Defense

Defensive Ends
Deacon Jones, Los Angeles Rams

Reggie White, Philadelphia Eagles/Green Bay Packers

Defensive Tackles
Alan Page, Minnesota Vikings/Bears
Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams/Chargers/Redskins

Linebackers
Jack Ham, Pittsburgh Steelers
Dick Butkus, Chicago Bears
Lawrence Taylor, New York Giants

Cornerbacks
Mike Haynes, New England Patriots/Oakland-LA Raiders
Deion Sanders, Falcons/49ers/Cowboys/Redskins/Ravens

Safeties
Ronnie Lott, San Francisco 49ers/Raiders/Jets
Ed Reed, Baltimore Ravens/Texans/Jets

***

I don’t like that I now live in a world without Bud Grant, Jim Brown, and Dick Butkus. Thinking about Butkus and Lawrence Taylor on the same team helps.