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Nitschke vs. Butkus isn't really a fair comparison. A couldn't care less about the Pro Bowl. Ray was 1st or 2nd team All-Pro seven times. Butkus did the same eight times. Ray was first team All-Pro in 1964, 1965, and 1966. Butkus came into the league in 1965. Both players made first team All-Pro in 1965. Ray (1st team) made it over Butkus (2nd team) in 1966. Butkus (1st team) made it over Ray (2nd team) in 1967. In 1968 Ray was entering his 11th year in the league (and past his prime)--while Butkus was in his 4th year (and in his prime). To put that in perspective, Butkus never made 1st or 2nd team All-Pro after his 8th year in the league (he made 1st or 2nd team his first eight years).
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