The ASSOCIATED PRESS reports that Dick Butkus has successfully sued to get the rights to his namesake award back.

The former NFL tough guy had taken the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando to court, claiming that the non-profit organization didn’t raise enough money for charity while awarding the Dick Butkus Award to the nation’s top college linebacker.

Now after a year-long legal battle, Dick has his statue back. And he’s going to make a few changes to the presentation.

Butkus’ family will begin presenting the award in January 2009 in Chicago, where he grew up and played eight Pro Bowl seasons for the Bears.

“The point of this whole lawsuit was to use this award to raise charitable funds, and he feels he will be able to do that better in Chicago than down in Florida,” (lawyer Robert) Helfing said.

Yeah, who wants to spend their January in the Sunshine State, when they can enjoy winter in the Windy City? Next year’s nominees better pack a parka.