Oct 5, 2023 4 min read

Hall of Famer Butkus dies at 80

Dick Butkus, a fearsome middle linebacker for the Chicago Bears, has died, the team announced Thursday. He was 80.

According to a statement released by the team, Butkus’ family confirmed that he died in his sleep overnight at his home in Malibu, Calif.

Butkus was a Hall of Famer whose bone-rattling tackles made him one of the most intimidating players in NFL history. He was the quintessential modern linebacker, a disruptive force who roamed sideline to sideline and left a trail of broken opponents behind.

He was a first-team All-Pro selection five times and made the Pro Bowl in eight of his nine seasons before knee injuries forced his retirement at age 31. Despite a short career, Butkus came to define his position. He routinely ranks among the NFL’s top 100 players.

Charlino nets 3,000th win

Dan Charlino collected career win 3,000 when he piloted 15-1 Troycen to victory in Thursday’s ninth race at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.

A Philadelphia-area native, Charlino became involved in harness racing in an unusual way. His father was a pari-mutuel clerk at long-defunct Liberty Bell Park and occasionally took young Dan to the track. Once he got up close with the horses, the 14-year-old was hooked.

Chralino operated as a trainer/driver; he has 161 training wins in addition to his 3,000 driving victories, with combined purses exceeding $19.6 million.

These days, Charlino, 59, works full time for the Ron Burke stable. He drives some of Burke’s horses and is able to drive in other races so long as he’s not competing against Burke. His goal for the future? Continue that arrangement.

“My career is winding down, so I’ll just plug along as is – continue working for Ronnie, train the babies in Florida. I’d like to be South more rather than up here,” Charlino said. “I want to keep driving as long as I’m healthy and strong. It keeps the belly off so I can zip up the colors.”

Boys soccer

Dominic George scored a tiebreaking goal with 38:15 remaining in the match and Waynesburg went on to a 3-1 victory over Southmoreland in Class 2A Section 3.

The win moves Waynesburg to 4-8 in section and 5-9 overall. The Raiders have won two in a row.

Southmoreland (2-10, 3-11) scored first but Ryon McCartney’s goal late in the first half sent the match to halftime tied 1-1. George scored what proved to be game-winner and teammate Dalton Taylor scored on a pentalty kick with 16:25 remaining.

Waynesburg goalkeeper Job McCartney made 10 saves.

• Undefeated Charleroi routed overmatched Ligonier Valley 16-0 to clinch the outright Class A Section 2 title.

Bryce Large, with four goals, and Arlo McIntyre, with three goals and five assists, led the attack for Charleroi (9-0, 14-0).

Dylan Klinger had three goals and Joel Chambers had a pair.

• Bentworth, sparked by two goals from Andrew Vipperman, defeated California 6-0 in Class A Section 2.

Ryan Moessner, Aiden Murray, John Scott and Dillan Colbert had the other goals for the Bearcats (7-2, 11-2). Moessner contributed three assists.

• McGuffey tied the score with 15 minutes remaining but Mount Pleasant tallied the game-winner with less than three minutes to play to edge the Highlanders 2-1 in a key Class 2A Section 3 match.

Mount Pleasant is 11-1 in section and 11-2 overall. McGuffey is 9-3, 11-4 and had it six-match winning streak snapped.

Class 2A Section 3 co-leader Belle Vernon was an 8-0 winner over Washington.