GhLinks Media
Dick Butkus was one of the greatest football players of all time, and his wife, Helen Essenhart Butkus, was a key part of his success.
Helen was a loving and supportive wife, and she also played an important role in her husband’s career.
Let’s see what we can dig out about Craig Ross Jr children and ex – wife, shall we?
Helen Essenhart Butkus: Early Life and Marriage
Helen Essenhart was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1942.
She met Dick Butkus in high school, and they began dating soon after.
The couple got married in 1963 while they were studying at the University of Illinois.
Throughout their marriage, the two had three children together: two sons named Ricky and Matt and a daughter named Nikki.
While Helen prefers to remain out of the spotlight, she has remained a devoted mother throughout her marriage.
Helen Essenhart Butkus and Dick Butkus children
Their marriage bore three children: sons Ricky and Matt and a daughter, Nikki. Among the children, it was Matt who chose a career path similar to his Hall of Famer father’s.
Matt Butkus played collegiate-level football for the USC Trojans as a defensive lineman.
He never made the NFL but was a decent college player for a stellar football program at USC.
Dick Butkus was a transcendental talent, and “USA Today” labeled him the “gold standard by which other middle linebackers are measured.” Yes, he was that good.
