Loving brother of Sam, Dennis, Joseph, Debbie, Donna Jeanne and Tina. Giving to charity is a meaningful way to honor someone who has died. My condolences to the family and he will be truly missed! Buffone died due to natural causes, said police spokesman Thomas Sweeney. "He was a very special guy.". My deepest sympathy to the entire Buffone family. We kept saying, 'This is practice. At Louisville, Buffone played center and linebacker for coach Frank Camp. Great person. Buffone was an entrepreneur, and part owner of several Chicago area businesses, including "Gibson's Steak House", one of the most popular nightspots in Chicago's Rush Street area, and Digital One, a video production and streaming video company in the Chicago suburbs. May the God of all comfort be with you all. Doug Buffone loved to tell stories, especially the one about his first game against the rival Packers. Former Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher tweeted about Buffone's death Monday. We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time. Buffone, a fourth-round draft pick whose 24 interceptions remain the most in club history for a linebacker, was found dead in his Chicago home, the coroner's office said. My condolence to the Buffone Family> I had the pleasure of watching him play and then listening to him on the radio. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. R.I.P. Buffone died at his residence in Chicago, Illinois, on April 20, 2015, aged 70.[4]. "Today is a sad day for Bears nation,"Brian Urlacher tweeted. Police say Buffone was found dead in his University Village home in the 1200-block of West Lexington by paramedics Monday afternoon. Buffone started a record 186 games as a Bear, during which time he recorded more than 1,200 tackles and 24 interceptions. He will be missed by all he touched. The team said in a statement that Buffone will always be celebrated as one of the Bears greats for his contributions to his team and the fans who loved him. 63-yo Bodybuilder Doug Brignoles Cause of Death Revealed As Covid-19 Infection Not Vaccination While there was speculation about Brignole's death, L.A. As a devoted Bear Fan for the last 50 years or more, I remember how truly great a linebacker he was. Buffone was the star of a popular segment of the Mully and Hanley show on WCSR on Fridays during the football season. to laugh at yourself. Search by Name. Police were called to Buffones Chicago home on Monday afternoon, where he was found unresponsive in bed. By the time Buffone wrapped up his brilliant career, he led all Bears linebackers with 24 career interceptions. Buffone, a fourth-round draft pick whose 24 interceptions remain the most in club history for a linebacker, was found dead in his Chicago home, the coroners office said. Discover Doug Buffone's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. I have fond memories of our boyhood days in Yatesboro. #dougbuffone. Rest in peace big Doug. Former Bear Doug Buffone dies at 70. Which first-round prospects should Raiders focus on at combine? And I think this is going to help the whole situation. "We lost one of our greats. There was no one tougher on Sundays than Doug Buffone. In his professional career, Buffone gathered more than 1,200 tackles, going over the 100-tackle mark in seven seasons. Paramedics and police were summoned to Buffone's home on Chicago's West Side and found a 70-year-old man dead due to natural causes, said police spokesman Thomas Sweeney. Former Bears coach Mike Ditka said Buffone had a lot of passion for the team, adding he has "nothing but great memories about him.". God Bless, Linda Poulos. For some people, the best send-off is one that they would have loved to attendthemselves: a big party. I had the PLEASURE of meeting him in person a few times and you could just see and his passion for the game and his love of the Bears. you were a good friend and I am proud that I knew you and your family. "I don't think anybody that has played for the Bears ever had more.' Heartfelt sympathy to the Buffone family from an old Yatesboro neighbor and friend. the former Bears linebacker who died To me, I loved the game and it was all about playing football and to get drafted and lo and behold play for your home city and have a guy like (defensive end Ed) O'Bradovich that I used to watch at Illiinois and Gale. Douglas John Buffone (June 27, 1944 April 20, 2015) was an American football linebacker in the National Football League. The first time he came, as a Bear ,to play New Orleans, where I was an engineer at Chevron, he brought 4 of his teammates over to eat with me and my wife and for years that's all the neighbor's could talk about. We are praying for you and family. Smooth and cool., Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. I'll never forget the laughs. Doug Buffone was very kind to the Dominican Friars at Fenwick High School outside of Chicago. RIP blueline EOG Master Apr 20, 2015 #2 Re: Former Bear Doug Buffone dies at 70 only show at WSCR I made it a point to listen to RIP John Kelly Born Gambler Staff member Apr 20, 2015 #3 Re: Former Bear Doug Buffone dies at 70 Doug spent his entire career with the Bears (1966-79) serving as defensive captain for eight years. He served as an unofficial ambassador for the team he loved and the game he devoted himself to, earning legions of friends and admirers through his unfailing graciousness and good-hearted nature. Love for the game - good citizen - living life with a passion - Let the person who is perfect in life - please stand - Only God is perfect; Mr. Buffone you caught the football and carried it for a touchdown to the gates of Heaven. As I read all the kind words about him, I how true they are. Butkus said he had been planning to call Buffone to check in last week but never did. I'm going to miss BIG DOUG! I was a little girl, during the first half of his football career, he always treated me like I was special when I would see him or go to one of his games. "He just did the job. My God Bless Doug and his Family. To plant trees in memory, please visit the. Rest in peace, my friend. He played the game with passion and conviction. Buffone was said to have died of natural causes at the age of 70.Butkus said he had been planning to call Buffone to check in last week but never did. All rights reserved. I will always remember our times together. (Reporting by Steve Ginsburg in Washington; Editing by Peter Cooney), The Rush: Suns Kevin Durant dazzles in his debut against the Hornets, Sexual assault lawsuit against Jerry Jones revived after appeal, likely headed for trial, No. And he proved it each week over his 14-year career, a tenure record he shared with another great, Bill George, for 33 seasons. Buffone and his family resided in Chicago, and he was heavily involved in Chicago sports and broadcasting. Enjoy that great football field in the sky. I never met the man, but through the radio I felt like I got to know Doug like an uncle. And it's just that people are clamoring for more NFL. Buffone, a well-liked and passionate linebacker who played 14 seasons for the Bears, was found dead at his home. His rebound downs Marian Catholic. It drove him nuts when we didnt play well and we always appreciated that he wore his heart on his sleeve because we knew how much he cared. Postgames will never be the same without him. Besides being a hell of a football player, he was a hell of a guy.. There was many a walk back to the car after a Bears game where I said, "I can't wait to hear what Doug has to say about this game." "He will always be celebrated as one of the Bears' greats for his contributions to his team and the fans who loved him. The (NFL) has just done a great job of marketing the game. Buffone later laughed recalling how the real source of the odor was a dead rat they found in his locker buried beneath his stuff. We pray for him and for the family . Doug was one of the founders of the Arena Football League, starting the Chicago Bruisers franchise, which played in the ArenaBowl II, he appeared on some Bruisers Radio and TV broadcasts with Les Grobstein, and was involved in the United States Football League with the Chicago Blitz. "Doug's passion for the game of football and the Chicago Bears was unmatched, and he will be missed.". Former Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher tweeted about Buffone's death Monday. He left an indelible impression on the market's young, aspiring broadcasters, including former colleague and current co-host of ESPN Radio's Mike and Mike program, Mike Greenberg. Chicago Bears linebacker Doug Buffone. I met Buz at the Bears training camp in Rensselaer, Indiana in 1969, through his teammate and my best friend, Willie Holman. Buffone played in 186 games for the Bears, making 1,257 tackles and going over the 100-tackle mark in seven seasons. "We are terribly saddened to hear of Doug's passing," Bears chairman George McCaskey said in a statement. ", Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Rest in peace #55! Web70 Recently Passed Away Celebrities and Famous People. Dana and family, be assured of my prayers. Thank Mr. Buffone for your hard nose defense that you brought to the Bears. May memories of him and the love of your family and friends give you strength in the days ahead. More in Sports Obituary Read. And that's what made him such a great guy, a great character, a great person." RIP. Doug Buffone was a terrific person, he taught me tons about football and about life. "You didn't get the exposure like you do today," Butkus said. Paramedics were called to Buffone's Chicago home Monday afternoon, where they found the popular linebacker-turned-broadcaster unresponsive, police said. My thoughts and prayers are with the Buffone family! The first two pickoffs of his career came off future Hall of Famers Bart Starr and Johnny Unitas. A staple of the Bears' defense in the mid-1960s until his retirement following the 1979 season, Buffone arrived in Chicago in 1966 when team founder George Halas selected the linebacker in the fourth round of the NFL draft out of Louisville. I feel blessed to have known him. 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