When I think of Dave Butz (1950-2022), the first thing that comes to mind is his helmet.
All you ever needed to know about Dave Butz as a player could be summed up by looking at his helmet. RIP to an absolute legend, and one of my favorite Redskins players of all time. https://t.co/Ayq6IHHd9g pic.twitter.com/FDnpjrqMAv
— Ron Burgundy & Gold (@RBG_DMC73) November 4, 2022
Dave Butz, a legendary defensive tackle for the Washington team, drove into the offensive interior, plugging gaps and putting pressure on the double teams. He batted down passes and did whatever was necessary.
“May my friend find eternal peace.” The enormous, kind, and genuine Dave, along with Mark Mosley and I, used to play games and ride together. Today, we sadly lost a dear friend. Former Washington quarterback Joe Theismann tweeted upon hearing the news of his teammate’s passing.
Butz performed wonderfully many times as a strong presence for the Redskins from 1975-1988. During those days, he was brought to Washington by coach George Allen in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals, a divisional foe in the NFC East.
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 significant force in Washington’s success on the difficult line, earning two Super Bowl rings (XVII, XXII), starting in four NFC Championship games, and three Super Bowls.
After being traded to Washington, he only played in one game during the ’74 season because of an injury. The Cardinals selected him as the fifth overall pick in the 1973 NFL Draft, coming from Purdue University as a former Boilermaker.
How does Butz, a defensive tackle who only missed four regular season games in 14 seasons, manage to miss only four games?
Despite never successfully scoring a touchdown in the NFL, he did manage to accumulate 64 quarterback sacks and retrieve seven fumbles while performing on the interior.
When Joe Gibbs came to Washington, he lost his first five games. But in the first NFL win for him, it was a big play. Vince Evans intercepted a pass by reading the short passing route and then scooted along the right sideline, returning it 26 yards to the 1-yard line. Some may recall that Dave Butz was the one who made the interception.
Butz, who finished the season with a record of 12-4, won two playoff games before eventually falling to the New York Giants in the NFC Championship Game. At the age of 36, he recorded 6 sacks for the Washington team, serving as an anchor on the inside. Throughout his career, Butz had a successful year in 1983, recording 11.5 sacks and earning a spot on the All-Pro Team.
Butz didn’t often say too much. He sought out reporters following games. On a few occasions, he was able to come down to the field with Dave at the closing minutes of the games to see his son more than that.
That helmet. Unmistakable, just like Dave Butz. #RIP 🙏 #HTTC pic.twitter.com/KHbqVWd5zU
— Ken Gelman (@kengfunk) November 4, 2022
Perhaps Butz was simply more interested in being dad in those moments than ensuring he be seen on national and local television?
That is essentially how he conducted himself throughout his whole career. Achieve the task, allow the others to generate all the clamor.
Rest in peace, Dave Butz. Throughout his career, he remained reserved and soft-spoken, despite securing three Super Bowl championships and being regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the Washington Redskins.