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Former NFL defensive tackle Dave Butz, who played on two of the Washington Commanders' Super Bowl championship teams, has died at the age of 72, the team announced in a post shared on its verified Twitter account.
"We're heartbroken over the loss of Washington Legend Dave Butz, a 2x Super Bowl champion and member of our Ring of Fame and 90 Greatest list," the Commanders tweeted, along with a graphic honoring Butz. "Sending our deepest condolences to Dave's family and friends."
Former Commanders quarterback Joe Theismann, Butz's teammate in Washington for 11 seasons, also shared a post regarding the former All-Pro defensive tackle's death.
"Lost a dear friend today. Dave Butz," Theismann tweeted. "Dave Mark Mosley and I used to ride to games together. A true gentle giant. Rest In Peace my friend."
Butz, a former Lombardi Award finalist, first-team All-Anerican and first-team All-Big Ten selection during his collegiate career at Purdue, was selected by the then-St. Louis Cardinals at No. 5 overall in the 1973 NFL Draft before joining the Commanders in 1975.
The Illinois native was a member of the Super Bowl XVII and XXII teams, the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team and the Washington Commanders Ring of Fame, as well as a first-team All-Pro in 1983, second-team All-Pro in 1984, Pro Bowler in 1983.
Butz finished his 16-year NFL career with 216 tackles, 35.5 sacks and two interceptions.
The former Purdue standout was also enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in 2014.