Bears legend Butkus still a fan favorite

The hidden gas bag trick worked every time.

Unsuspecting fans appeared startled. Dick Butkus -- forever No. 51 with the Chicago Bears -- cracked up.

"C'mon, man!" Butkus roared in mock surprise. The paid appearance was obligatory, but that didn't mean one of the greatest pro football players of all time couldn't have some fun.

Thirty-five years after his playing career ended, Butkus remains the prototype NFL middle linebacker. They might be bigger and faster now, but he often is the measuring stick analysts use when describing raw talent and intensity.

"His name and number alone on the field commanded respect. And fear," said Round Lake resident John Porter. Porter and his mom, Susan, were among those who filled the narrow corridors of the Cigars & More smoke shop in Libertyville for the promotional event Wednesday afternoon and evening.

"I made sure I was here for this. I took a vacation day," said Susan.

Fans had to buy certain amounts of merchandise to get autographed hats and pictures.

John went for the biggest package. He received four boxes of cigars, a poker bag with chips and cards, a humidor and ash tray and two autographed hats.

"It was just under 500 bucks, but it was worth it," he said.

Butkus was doing the event for CAO International Inc., a Memphis-based cigar company.

He had been its featured guest at the 2005 Big Smoke convention in Rosemont and would have been there this year as well, but it was canceled after Illinois' smoking ban became law.

As classmates at the University of Southern California, Butkus' son, Matt, was friendly with company president Tim Ozgener and came to know Jon Huber, director of lifestyle marketing. The company was on hand for the opening 10 years ago of Cigars & More.

One thing led to another, and the Libertyville appearance was set.

"We've been trying to put this together for a couple of years, just in conversation," said Ken Neumann, who with his wife, Julie, founded the shop.

Now 65, the Hall of Famer had a slight paunch but otherwise appeared tan and fit. Getting up and moving about seemed to take some effort, however, perhaps the effect of years of giving and taking pulverizing blows.

Many fans addressed him as Mr. Butkus. Some thanked the member of the NFL's 75th-anniversary all-time team for the unforgettable memories, which still can be seen on highlight reels.

"The greatest linebacker that ever lived. Absolutely. I grew up knowing that," said Cindy Harger, executive director of the Lake County Haven. Butkus signed a football for the agency's fundraiser.

Spare with conversation but unfailingly pleasant, he didn't seem like a guy who would rip your head off. Not that he couldn't or wouldn't.

"He's a really super cool guy," said Huber. "Not one you'd like to get in a bar fight with," however.

Since his retirement, Butkus appeared in movies, television series and commercials and was a network football analyst, among other pursuits. He recently regained control of the "Butkus Award" for college linebackers from a Florida-based group and hopes to get it going again in January.

"I think I can do more in Chicago," he said.

Another focus is Play Clean, an organization he formed with his son to educate young athletes on the dangers of steroids and eliminate their use.

He dismissed the idea of future analyst or other commercial work.

"They don't need me," he said. "I just don't have the time. I'm really busy with the charitable award. It takes a lot of work."

He had no comment on the salary situation of current Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher, saying he wasn't aware of the details.

And what about promoting cigar smoking in a role model world?

"It's just like when we did the Miller Lite commercials," he said. "If you're of age, everything in moderation. That's the key."