Doug Buffone, who played linebacker for the Bears for 14 years and remained a fixture on the Chicago sports scene decades after he retired, has died.
Buffone, 70, died at his home Monday afternoon, police officials told the Chicago Tribune.
PHOTOS: Notable sports deaths
Today is a sad day for Bears nation. We lost one of our greats. Doug Buffone will be missed. #dougbuffone. #bearslegend #55
— Brian Urlacher (@BUrlacher54) April 20, 2015A fourth-round draft pick by the Bears out of Louisville in 1966, Buffone never enjoyed the same recognition as his longtime running mate Dick Butkus, but he made quite an impact over a longer career.
Buffone played in 186 games for the Bears and his 24 career interceptions are the most in franchise history by a linebacker.
A Pennsylvania native, Buffone remained in Chicago after retirement and has been a constant presence on the city's media scene with gigs on a variety of local outlets. He was best-known recently for co-hosting the Bears postgame show on 670 The Score with former teammate Ed O'Bradovich.
“There were a lot of guys in football who were bitter … about what they had to sacrifice," fellow 670 The Score host Dan Bernstein said Monday. “That bitterness never, ever was there with Doug ever. … He always, always meant it when he said how thankful and appreciative he was of everything he had in his life.”
He tweeted last month that his autobiography would be released this summer.
RT #Bears Fans: My new book will be in stores this July. pic.twitter.com/SMFTKzecG7
— Doug Buffone (@RealDougBuffone) March 14, 2015