Should I NOT be sickened by this?

jrinck · August 22, 2005 6:23AM

After hearing and reading about Thomas Herrion's death over the weekend, I learned that Lions player Chuck Hughes died of a heart attack during a game against the Bears back in 1971. Wanting to learn more about his story, I did a Google search, and came up with this, an autographed picture of Dick Butkus. What's the problem with this pic? That's a dead Chuck Hughes on the ground in front of him.

Why would he sign such a picture?

Dick Butkus autographed picture

and what sicko would have wanted him to?

envoy98 · August 22, 2005 6:26AM

Wow. That is extremely disturbing. I'm really surprised Dick Butkus would sign that. I suppose I can give the person the benefit of the doubt on asking him to sign it, assuming it's legit, but you'd expect Dick Butkus to know the significance of that picture. I am sickened by it as well. That is absolutely awful. How is that pic even in circulation still? You'd think whoever had it would stop printing it...it's awful.

DeutscherGeist · August 22, 2005 6:30AM

If that really is the scene where Chuck Jones died on the field, it is poor taste to autograph that photo. I find it disturbing if that's indeed what it is.

Did the refs in the picture know this at the time? They look like they are telling him to get up and probably later it is realized that he is dead.

If the refs and Butkus already knew at that moment he was dead, then for sure the autograph was in even more bad taste.

fsjeter · August 22, 2005 6:33AM

The "sicko" is Mounted Memories. As far as I know, they don't authenticate, they do private signings. So, if it comes with one of their certs. it was one of their signings. Pretty morbid though.

Scott

zef204 · August 22, 2005 6:43AM

BTW- when Hughes suffered the heart attack, Butkus was the one that was frantically waving his arms for help.

wick70 · August 22, 2005 6:53AM

It might not be legit. Butkus is very strict on signing. There are only certain photos that he would sign and I don't believe that this would be one of them.

Wick

Knuckles · August 22, 2005 7:06AM

Maybe the photo was mostly covered up some how when he signed it..

MorrellMan · August 22, 2005 7:26AM

Wih all due respect, what are you trying to dredge up here? That Dick Butkus callously and mercilessly signed a picture of himself with a dead body in the picture and is laughing evilly to the bank?
Comon now, either it's a fake or for some reason or other (maybe push and shove at a card show) he didn't know what he was signing. Come on - give the guy a break.

nflhof · August 22, 2005 7:38AM

I just called this crappy company and they could care less. This really makes me sick and I think we all should at least give them a call and deliver to them what they deserve. Please call them, their number is 1 800 856-2638. I called and they do not want to hear from me anymore. I also told them Karma is a wicked thing just ask Ted Willaims' kid. Lets all call them and tell them we don't want this crap!

Axtell · August 22, 2005 7:48AM

Crappy company?

How are they supposed to know that this was a photo of what happened? Not everyone is as astute of researchers as the ones we have here...with the huge amount of inventory, do you really think they have the time (or money) to research every piece?

It was a tragic event to be sure; but to attempt to defame either Butkus or this company is just wrong in my opinion.

If a company sells something you don't agree with we should deluge them with phone calls?

baseballfanatic · August 22, 2005 7:59AM

If a company sells something you don't agree with we should deluge them with phone calls? >>

Yup....

jrinck · August 22, 2005 8:00AM

<< <i>Crappy company?

How are they supposed to know that this was a photo of what happened? Not everyone is as astute of researchers as the ones we have here...with the huge amount of inventory, do you really think they have the time (or money) to research every piece?

It was a tragic event to be sure; but to attempt to defame either Butkus or this company is just wrong in my opinion.

If a company sells something you don't agree with we should deluge them with phone calls? >>

Look at the title, they specifically say "Over Chuck Hughes". They had to do SOME research to determine that player was Chuck Hughes, and that research would have no doubt told them what happened.

"This isn't just some normal, stupid, run-of-the-mill picture of Dick Butkus! No, no, no, this is one of him standing over the only player in NFL history to DIE on the field! That makes this picture a rare and valuable collectible! Buy now before it's too late!"

MorrellMan · August 22, 2005 8:03AM

Townspeople: "What d'ya mean, put down the torches?"
Voice of reason: "I'm saying maybe we shouldn't burn him out."
Townspeople: "But we're already headed up the hill! We got all these torches burning!"
VOR: "Maybe we should consider his side of the story."
Townspeople: "The hell! We lighted these torches and by gosh we're gonna use them! Maybe on you!"

poolman · August 22, 2005 8:24AM

Zef, I might be wrong as I was about 12 at the time but I thought he died on the sideline. I was watching the game at the time

julen23 · August 22, 2005 8:34AM

For the sake of saying, chuck hughes died of a heart attack that day. He had a blot clot take his life, nothing to do a/ Dick Butkus, other than him happening to be still in the game w/ 62 seconds left.

To each their own, I personally wouldn't want a photo of a dead football player on my wall, but if that is your thing, power to you.

Julen

CopperJJ · August 22, 2005 8:58AM

I see dead people every day, that's the last thing I'd want to see on my wall of autos.

Mefer · August 22, 2005 9:00AM

What traces the photo to that game? Could it be an earlier game they played in together or perhaps even earlier in the game when he died?

FavreFan1971 · August 22, 2005 9:36AM

I would doubt this is legit. Do you see the NFL licensed hologram on the photo. Do you honestly think the NFL would put their sticker on this.

Not legit in my mind.

jrinck · August 22, 2005 9:39AM

<< <i>What traces the photo to that game? Could it be an earlier game they played in together or perhaps even earlier in the game when he died? >>

It sure looks like he wasn't getting up from the way those guys were standing around him. Look closely and you'll see what appears to be the team doctor rushing over. He's obscured by Butkus.

Either way, it's a shameless picture to autograph.

That's like asking a funeral director to autograph the funeral card of the deceased.

nflhof · August 22, 2005 9:48AM

I called them and informed them what this photo is depicting, and they could have cared less. I was passed on to a "supervisor" who told me to "find something better to do with my time." My opinion on this is that Mr. Butkus was probadly not aware of what he was signing or it is a fake. My main concern is this company and the their attitiude of "so what!" I asked to speak to the General Manager or President and they just hung up on me.

Steelcity99 · August 22, 2005 9:28PM

Truly despicable, but not in any way moreso than what the 6 o'clock news uses as the lead stories in every city in the nation each night. "If it bleeds, it leads"

glmueller · August 22, 2005 11:05PM

karma...Karma...Karma...

envoy98 · August 22, 2005 11:49PM

<< <i>karma...Karma...Karma... >>

karma...karma...chameleon....you come and go...

er...that is the words isn't it?

fsjeter · August 23, 2005 12:47AM

Rest assured that the photo is legit (see page 8 of the 8x10 football auto's, be advised it takes a few seconds for the images to load). It is part of Mounted Memories product line. I don't know how many they had him sign.

Scott

nflhof · August 23, 2005 1:24AM

I called MM and they understand the problem and are addressing the concerns with this picture but on line sports are true dirt bags. So lets give them a call and tell them what you think of this garbage. please call at 800 856-2638, its their dime.

Axtell · August 23, 2005 3:07AM

I'd agree with them that you deluging them with phone calls, you really do need to do something better with your time.

So a video store sells adult material you don't like...you don't like pornography. Do you flood them with phone calls telling them what horrible people they are?

If you don't like the way a company does business, DON'T DO BUSINESS WITH THEM.

It's simple, and if enough people stop buying from them because of their practices, then they go out of business.

mikeschmidt · August 23, 2005 3:47AM

When it comes to "sick things found available for sale on the Internet" - I would place this item pretty low on the list. I certainly do not endorse or approve of this - but there are far greater battles out there that concern me, as a parent.

rbdjr1 · August 23, 2005 4:45AM

I'll go with a "signing at a show", as I'm sure Dick Butkus did his share of "show signings",

You know, "Mr. Butkus, can you please sign this photo right there, right over your "butt", thanks Mr. Butkus, that's perfect! That will be $50.00 please". (Who knows? Shows may be getting $100 or more for a Dick Butkus show signing these days?)

Bad taste? Well sure, what else is new!

It looks like a "newswire photo" and my take, by one of the sports photographers on duty at the game. I'm sure this photo (or one like it), "hit the wires" and was in all the papers back then! One of the photographers could have sold it to a "news bureau". Who knows? Photo

Edit: Chuck Hughes, "Rest In Peace"!

rbd

Should I NOT be sickened by this?

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