You know you’ve made a mark on a sports franchise when one of its biggest names is sad to see you leave.
On Monday, roughly a day before the 2022 NFL trade deadline, the Chicago Bears traded All-Pro level linebacker Roquan Smith to the Baltimore Ravens. And while there was a lot to parse through from an on-field football sense, it didn’t seem like Chicago linebacking legend Dick Butkus was quite ready to see Smith leave just yet.
Why it’s almost as if one great Bears linebacker loved to see a player like Smith live up to that long-established Chicago tradition:
Bummer to see my friend, Roquan, traded today. Thanks for giving it your all for my Bears. Best of luck in Baltimore. 🙁
— Dick Butkus (@thedickbutkus) October 31, 2022
Oh, man. Is someone cutting onions?
It’s obvious Butkus — a Chicago native, a former University of Illinois graduate, and Bears Hall of Famer — still has an affinity for his favorite football franchise. And it looks like he really appreciated what Smith brought to the table for as long as he wore the Bears’ uniform.
NFL fans were touched by Butkus's outpouring for Smith
💔 #58 will always be a bear forever https://t.co/qw2OCdLmbN
— Dan Bustos (@DBustos21) October 31, 2022
Damn it. The best LB since Urlacher, maybe since Singletary.
— Bill Beverly (@BillBeverly) October 31, 2022
Classy as always. Go be great Roquan. 🤘.
— Walter 🐻⬇️ (@CanN0tWin) October 31, 2022
Sorry to see him go. The Bears are rebuilding the right way.
— Heidi Wolff (@oilergirl2) October 31, 2022
That’s how most of us feel 😭 Favorite Bear gone 🐻⬇️
— Guy Lanzito (@Guy_Lanzito) October 31, 2022
