Ex-Bears LB Buffone dies at 70

Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Longtime Chicago Bears linebacker Doug Buffone has died at the age of 70, the team confirmed.

Police said Buffone was found dead in his Chicago home on Monday, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Buffone played all 14 of his NFL seasons for the Bears between 1966 and 1979, tied for the second-most in franchise history. He appeared in 186 games and made 24 interceptions, tops all-time among Bears linebackers.

"He will always be celebrated as one of the Bears greats for his contributions to his team and the fans who loved him," Bears chairman George H. McCaskey said in a statement. "There was no one tougher on Sundays than Doug Buffone. And he proved it each week over his 14-year career ...

"His special relationship with Bears fans continued beyond his playing days, first through founding the Bear Report and later as one of the pioneers and long-time contributors to Chicago's first sports radio station, WSCR. It drove him nuts when we didn't play well and we always appreciated that he wore his heart on his sleeve because we knew how much he cared. Doug's passion for the game of football and the Chicago Bears was unmatched and he will be missed."

Former Chicago linebacker Brian Urlacher, who played 13 seasons for the team before retiring in 2013, tweeted: "Today is a sad day for Bears nation. We lost one of our greats. Doug Buffone will be missed."