Former Chicago Bears linebacker-turned-broadcaster, Doug Buffone, was found deceased in his Chicago home, according to police. USA Today has the details:
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. The man was later identified as Buffone, who played 14 seasons for the Bears.
Buffone, a 4th round pick in the 1966 NFL draft out of Louisville; retired in 1980 and still holds team records for most interceptions by a linebacker (24), and most games played with 186. Considering the history of Bears linebackers; quite an amazing feat. He also had 10 fumble recoveries, 9 forced fumbles, and 37 sacks.
Bears chairman George McCaskey made it a point to note how Buffone took it to heart when the team didn’t perform well on the field, saying it “drove him nuts”, even as a broadcaster removed from his playing days.
[h/t USA Today]