The Butkus Takes Heart™ initiative, a visionary project of the Butkus Foundation, stands as a beacon of hope, urging early cardiovascular assessments for American adults. This call to action is rooted in the sobering fact that nearly 700,000 individuals fall victim to heart disease annually in the U.S., a number echoing the fullness of 10 football stadiums, with half of these individuals tragically unaware of their condition. Heart disease reigns as the stealthy yet predominant cause of death in the nation.

The life Dick Butkus was dramatically saved in 2001 thanks to a routine screening that revealed a critical need for a five-way bypass. In honor of this life-saving intervention, the clinic near St. Joseph Hospital, which played a pivotal role in identifying Butkus’ perilous heart condition, was aptly renamed the Dick Butkus Center for Cardiac Screening. This center has since become a sanctuary of prevention, conducting thousands of screenings and discovering that approximately one in five individuals require medical intervention. The program has since expanded to other NFL cities. (Click here to see the list!).

With a vision as expansive as his legacy, Butkus dreamed of propelling millions of adults towards a nationwide network of clinics and providers, equipped to offer free or affordable screenings. His goal was not just to spread awareness but to empower every individual to understand their heart’s health and proactively manage their unique risk factors, thereby transforming the landscape of heart disease prevention in America.

The vision has progressed thanks to the work of Dr. Lawrence J. Santora. Lawrence J. Santora, MD, FACP, FCCP, FACC, is a highly skilled consultative cardiologist practicing at the Dick Butkus Center for Advanced Cardiac Imaging in Orange, California. He is a founding member and managing partner of the center, established in 1994. Dr. Santora specializes in preventative and interventional cardiology, including coronary stenting, as well as in cardiac CT, focusing on CT angiography and coronary calcium screening using EBCT. He is board certified in cardiovascular computed tomography.

The Butkus Foundation’s “I Play Clean” initiative was launched by Dick Butkus in response to his concerns about the use of performance-enhancing drugs among teen athletes. Shocked by the casual attitude of high school athletes towards these drugs, Butkus initiated a national movement to address this issue. He reached out to coaches, athletes, and parents in 15,000 leading high schools, holding rallies and speaking at statehouses. He even testified before a U.S. Congressional committee. Butkus, who played before the steroid era, emphasizes the importance of playing clean and encourages young athletes to commit to a career free of illegal performance enhancers.

The Butkus Foundation’s “I Play Clean” initiative continues to be an active part of their work. The Foundation maintains a strong stance on this issue. Every high school and collegiate nominee for the Butkus Award® is required to certify that they adhere to the principles of playing clean and commit to a career free of illegal performance enhancers. This ongoing requirement underscores the Foundation’s dedication to promoting fair play and health among young athletes.