John Lynch was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 2021 for a tremendous playing career as a fearsome safety, and one of his inspirations was legendary Bears linebacker Dick Butkus.

Lynch, the general manager of the 49ers, paid tribute to Butkus on Thursday following his death at the age of 80.

Butkus' family confirmed he had passed peacefully overnight at his home in Malibu, CA.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Lynch said of Butkus: "This was the man my Dad – from Chicago – used to show me NFL Films clips of. He was and remains a legend. I had an opportunity to see and visit with him in Canton a couple of months back and will treasure that forever. He carried an aura that the greats do. RIP."

This was the man my Dad – from Chicago – used to show me NFL Films clips of. He was and remains a legend. I had an opportunity to see and visit with him in Canton a couple of months back and will treasure that forever. He carried an aura that the greats do. RIP ? https://t.co/4UX5BPJNxn

— John Lynch (@JohnLynch49ers) October 5, 2023

Butkus' playing career finished in 1973, just two years after Lynch was born.

But the true greats transcend generations, and Lynch's warm words and the plethora of tributes pouring in for Butkus serve as evidence of that.

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