He was also selected the 70th greatest athlete of the 20th century by ESPN .
In 2017 , NFL senior analyst Gil Brandt ranked Butkus as the third greatest linebacker of all time , behind Derrick Thomas and Lawrence Taylor .
Butkus was also selected the 70th greatest athlete of the 20th century by ESPN .
In 2017 , NFL senior analyst Gil Brandt ranked Butkus as the third greatest linebacker of all time , behind Derrick Thomas and Lawrence Taylor .