One of his greatest strengths was his ability to rip the ball from a ball carrier 's hands .
Butkus recovered 27 fumbles in his career , an NFL record at the time of his retirement .
One of Butkus ' greatest strengths was his ability to rip the ball from a ball carrier 's hands .
Butkus recovered 27 fumbles in his career , an NFL record at the time of his retirement .