CHAMPAIGN — Illinois will host the Butkus Award ceremony on Feb. 1 at Memorial Stadium. The awards will be presented in conjunction with Big Ten Network, which will provide coverage of the event.

The Butkus Award was established in honor of former Illinois linebacker Dick Butkus. The two-time All-American went on to have a Hall of Fame career with the Chicago Bears and remains one of the most iconic players in NFL history. The Butkus Award is presented annually to the nation's best linebacker at the high school, collegiate and professional levels.

"We are incredibly excited to bring the 2025 Butkus Award ceremony back to where it all began — Memorial Stadium at the University of Illinois," said Matt Butkus, son of the late Dick Butkus, who died in 2023. "This event is more than just an award ceremony; it's a celebration of the game, of my father's legacy, and of the players who continue to honor the spirit of hard work and dedication that my dad embodied. We are looking forward to a memorable night with the athletes, coaches, and fans who make this sport so special."

The 2025 Butkus Award Show will feature the presentation of awards in several categories, including the high school, college, and professional linebacker awards. Georgia's Jalon Walker was named the Butkus Award winner in December, while Nebraska signee Christian Jones, out of Omaha (Neb.) Westside was the high school winner. The NFL recipient has not yet been named.

"It is an honor for the University of Illinois to host the Butkus Award Show in Memorial Stadium, where Dick Butkus not only played but set an enduring standard for the linebacker position by becoming one of the most feared and respected players in football history," Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman said. "The Butkus name is synonymous with toughness, teamwork, and excellence, and we are proud to celebrate Dick's enduring legacy right here, where it all started. I was honored to call Dick a friend, and we are so proud to host this special event, with players from all levels of the great game of football, here on our campus. We look forward to welcoming the Butkus family, fans, and the football community to this historic venue."

Scott Richey covers college basketball for The News-Gazette. His email is , and you can follow him on Twitter ( @srrichey ).