<P> Butkus scored the first points of his career on November 9, 1969, when he tackled Steelers quarterback Dick Shiner in the end zone for a safety . He also recorded 25 tackles in the game, and for his efforts was recognized as the NFL Defensive Player of the Week by the AP . That 38--7 win for the Bears was their only one of the season; they finished with a 1--13 record, which was the worst in franchise history . Additionally, Butkus' five - year contract had reached its end . A number of Bears players, including Butkus, expressed interest in being traded or cut by the team, but he signed a multi-year contract extension prior to the 1970 season to remain in Chicago . The contract raised his salary from $50,000 per year to nearly $100,000 per year . </P> <P> Despite the ineptitude of the Bears as a team, Butkus developed a reputation around the league as one of its best players . In both 1969 and 1970, he was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the NEA, which was voted on by NFL players . He appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated in September 1970 with the caption, "The Most Feared Man in the Game". A panel of NFL coaches that year named Butkus the player they would most prefer to start a team with if they were building one from the ground up . </P> <P> Prior to the 1971 season, Butkus underwent preventive surgery on his right knee; he had torn ligaments in high school, but was able to continuing playing due to strong muscles compensating for the injury . In 1971, he recorded 117 tackles and four interceptions, leading the Bears in both statistics . He also scored a single point; in the closing minutes of a game against the Washington Redskins on November 14, the score was tied at 15 and the Bears had lined up to kick an extra point . The snap went over holder Bobby Douglass' head, who then raced back to retrieve the ball and looked to pass it . Butkus, who was playing as a blocking back, ran into the end zone and leapt to receive the pass for the winning score . Butkus later called the play his favorite of his career . Despite the statistical output, for the first time since 1966 Butkus was not named to a major All - Pro first team, instead earning second - team honors from the NEA and Pro Football Writers Association . </P> <P> Butkus sparked controversy in 1972 with the release of Stop - Action, a memoir describing the final week of the 1971 season . The Bears had lost their final five games in 1971, and Butkus used the memoir as an outlet to voice his frustrations and grievances . In particular, he harshly criticized the Detroit Lions organization, saying, "I think they are a lot of jerks, from the owner, the general manager, the coach on down...If we were voting for a jerk team or organization they'd have my vote all the way ." The Lions responded with a 38--24 win over the Bears in Week 3 of 1972 . After the game Lions linebacker Mike Lucci, whom Butkus had labeled a "crybaby", denied that the book had any bearing on the game's outcome, but told reporters that "Butkus should just keep his mouth shut and play football ." Butkus, who was notoriously cross with reporters, also denied the attribution and accused the media of sensationalism . Bears teammate Gale Sayers later said he did not like the book, feeling Butkus was above such name - calling . The season as a whole was another productive one for Butkus, who reclaimed the first - team middle linebacker spot on the major All - Pro teams and was invited to his final Pro Bowl . </P>

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