Buffone retired after the 1979 season with 24 career interceptions, the most for any Bears linebacker. He also held the team's record for most games played with 186.
''Today is a sad day for Bears nation,'' said former Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher, who like Buffone played his entire career with the team. ''We lost one of our greats. Doug Buffone will be missed.''
A native of Yatesboro, Pennsylvania, Buffone was a fourth-round draft pick by the Bears in 1966 out of Louisville.
In addition to the 24 interceptions, Buffone had 10 fumble recoveries, nine forced fumbles and 37 sacks. He had 1,257 tackles, going over the 100-tackle mark in seven seasons.
Former Bears coach Mike Ditka said Buffone had a lot of passion for the team, adding he has ''nothing but great memories about him.''
In a statement, Hall of Famer Dick Butkus, who played alongside Buffone on the Bears for seven years, said a ''great man'' was lost.
''I will always remember him for his football talent, sense of humor and enduring friendship,'' Butkus said. ''He was a very special guy.''
Buffone in recent years hosted a Bears postgame radio show on WSCR-AM with former teammate Ed O'Bradovich.
Bernstein said he has encountered former football players who were bitter about what they had to sacrifice.
''That bitterness never, ever was there with Doug ever,'' he said.
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