![]() In many ways, he is the underdog story of all underdog stories, after playing at West Alabama, going undrafted and having only the Patriots offer him a tryout well after most 90-man rosters had been filled. That Butler was even on the roster in the first place was the surprise story of the early part of the Patriots' season. Of that total, 14 came in the AFC Championship Game against the Colts, after he didn't play on defense in the divisional-round win over the Ravens. ![]() He was ready, despite having played only 190 defensive snaps this season, including playoffs. "I'm pretty sure he knows I'm a rookie, and who wouldn't try a rookie?" he said. He said he couldn't explain it, but he just knew what was coming in part because of his résumé. In recapping the play immediately after he left the field, he actually thought the ball was on the 3- or 4-yard line. ![]() He plans to put the football from the play in a case. "I thought I was going to have to wait until next season," Butler said of his first career interception. Two plays later, though, "it was the best feeling ever." As I was looking, he was bobbling it and caught it. Nine times out of 10, it usually goes away from him. "I went to the sideline, wasn't feeling too well, my teammates were trying to cheer me up and said I made a great play," Butler said while noting he felt he would be viewed as the reason the Patriots lost. First, David Tyree catches the ball on his helmet in Super Bowl XLII, and now this? Too cruel.īutler was step-for-step in coverage on the play, but it was just a remarkable effort by Kearse. Two plays prior, Butler was in coverage on Seahawks receiver Jermaine Kearse's improbable, on-his-back, juggling, 33-yard catch down the right sideline that advanced the ball to the 5-yard line. Part of what made the turn of events so unbelievable was what preceded it. Like others on both teams, Butler expressed some surprise that the Seahawks didn't run with Marshawn Lynch, but he also felt he picked up a clue as to what was coming when quarterback Russell Wilson looked in his direction before the play. "It was on the line, we needed it, and I just beat him to the route and made the play." "Goal line, preparation, the formation they were in with the two-receiver stack, I just knew they were throwing a pick route," he said. Butler, who at that point had played 17 defensive snaps in the game, was the third corner. But in New England, it forever will be known as the play on which Butler did it - his interception 1 yard in the end zone - as he exploded on a slant intended for receiver Ricardo Lockette.īecause the Seahawks had three receivers on the field, the Patriots matched up with a unique, goal-line package that included six defensive linemen, two linebackers and three cornerbacks. Why were the Seahawks throwing the ball on second-and-goal from the 1-yard line with 20 seconds left? It's a question they'll be asking in Seattle for a long time. When Super Bowl XLIX was on the line Sunday night, it was Butler's scrappy play, along with instincts and athleticism, that delivered a championship to New England for the first time since the 2004 season. Running back Brandon Bolden said he came up with it, and some teammates turned it into "Scrap" because Butler was always scrapping for the ball. In turning to the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Butler as their fifth defensive back in sub packages, they entrusted a player teammates call "Strap" or "Scrap," depending on whom you ask.īutler picked up the nickname shortly after signing with the Patriots on May 19, after teammates noticed him putting the "straps" on receivers on the practice field. ![]() The nickelback was having trouble matching the size and length of 6-foot-5, 218-pound receiver Chris Matthews on vertical routes. That all changed after the opening drive of the third quarter, when the Patriots' coaching staff inserted Butler into the game for Kyle Arrington. Not only was one of the heroes of Super Bowl XLIX a little-known player out of Division II West Alabama, but he also wasn't even part of the team's original championship game plan. He was part of a coaching adjustment that ultimately saved the team's heart-pounding, 28-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. On the 32nd defensive snap by the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX, undrafted rookie cornerback Malcolm Butler came on the field for the first time. Little-known Malcolm Butler an unlikely hero for Patriots You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser
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