Fansided

30 greatest players to never win a Super Bowl

By Russell S. Baxter

TAMPA BAY, FL - OCTOBER 2, 1994: Barry Sanders
TAMPA BAY, FL - OCTOBER 2, 1994: Barry Sanders /
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CHICAGO, IL – NOVEMBER 1969: Linebacker Dick Butkus #51 of the Chicago Bears ready for action against the Cleveland Browns November 30, 1969 during an NFL football game at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. Butkus played for the Bears from 1965-73. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images
CHICAGO, IL – NOVEMBER 1969: Linebacker Dick Butkus #51 of the Chicago Bears ready for action against the Cleveland Browns November 30, 1969 during an NFL football game at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. Butkus played for the Bears from 1965-73. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images /

1. Dick Butkus, MLB, Chicago Bears

Intense. Ferocious. Relentless. Intimidating. You could spend quite a few hours watching highlights of Pro Football Hall of Fame middle linebacker Dick Butkus and just wonder how this defensive force and the Chicago Bears never played in a postseason game during his tenure with the franchise.

Go back to the 1965 NFL Draft when the Chicago Bears used the third overall pick on the University of Illinois prospect. By the way, one selection later the franchise also grabbed some running back from the University of Kansas by the name of Gale Sayers. Talk about a 1-2 punch of greatness? Both players are deserved member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame are among the most legendary figures in football history. In fact, Butkus even has a college award with his name on it which is given to the country’s best linebacker.

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Defense had always been a trademark in the Windy City. And no one did it better up the middle than the 6-foot-3, 245-pound terror. Intimidation was just one part of his game. But if you thought he just piled up a bunch of tackles and memorable hits during his nine-year career, think again.

Talk about a nose for the football. Butkus totaled 22 interceptions and racked up 27 opponent fumble recoveries. The eight-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro was enshrined in Canton in 1979 and no player could be more worthy. But in nine seasons, he and the Bears never played in a postseason game.

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