Dick Butkus got verified by Twitter

[gipper]

Yes but Butkus likely wasn't nearly as strong as Lewis being 2 inches taller but only 5 lbs heavier, and I know he wasn't as fast. Nutrition, training, both strength and speed are worlds better today than back then. And was Butkus more of a madman than James Harrison or Lewis? I doubt it. Today's players just can't do those things because they will get suspended and fined if they do. What would also likely give Butkus problems is the passing game. Teams weren't running 5 wide and having backs and TE's needing coverage as well.

We’ll never know. This is why you can’t really compare players from different eras. Butkus could only play against those of his era, and he dominated. In his early years he had a great combination of size, power, speed, and tenacity. If you haven’t watched him play a lot, you really shouldn’t comment. I saw him play many times. He truly played with reckless abandon.