Malcolm Butler

At 34 years old, Malcolm Butler has this physical status:

Malcolm Terel Butler (born March 2, 1990) is an American football cornerback for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL).

Butler played collegiate football at the University of West Alabama.

During his senior year in 2013, Butler broke up 18 passes and had two interceptions and was named first-team All-Gulf South Conference at cornerback.

Butler entered the NFL in 2014, signing as an undrafted free agent with the New England Patriots. Butler is responsible for one of the most famous plays in Super Bowl history; with 20 seconds left in Super Bowl XLIX, Butler intercepted a pass at the goal line, preventing a go-ahead touchdown by the Seattle Seahawks, and put the Patriots in position to win the Super Bowl.

Butler was also on the Patriots team that won Super Bowl LI over the Atlanta Falcons despite a 25 point deficit.

Early years

Butler was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and has four siblings. He graduated from Vicksburg High School in 2009. As a senior, he averaged five tackles per game. Despite only playing football in his freshman and senior years at Vicksburg, Butler earned a scholarship to Hinds Community College in Raymond, Mississippi. Butler also participated in track and field at Vicksburg, where he competed in sprints and jumps. He had personal bests of 12.07 seconds in the 100-meter dash, 1.83 meters (6'0") in the high jump, and 6.92 meters (22'8.5") in the long jump.

Source

College career

Butler was credited with 22 tackles and one intercept in his 2009 freshman season at Hinds Community College, but he was kicked out of the team after the fifth game of the season. He went to Alcorn State University before being admitted back to Hinds Community College in 2011, where he had 43 tackles, three interceptions, and 12 broken-up passes.

Butler studied physical education at the University of West Alabama in 2012, majoring in physical education. He appeared in all 12 games for the Division II Tigers. He finished the 2012 season with 49 tackles, 43 solo, five interceptions (including three in one game against West Georgia) and averaged 29.8 yards per kickoff return. Butler was named a Beyond Sports Network All-American in 2013 for his 45 tackles, two interceptions, one blocked field goal, and one blocked field goal, along with a total average of 27.9 yards on kickoff returns during the season. He appeared in the 2014 Medal of Honor Bowl, a postseason all-star game in which he had solo tackles and an intercept.

Professional career

Butler was given an invitation to the New England Patriots' rookie minicamp. Since impressing coaches with his appearance during rookie minicamp, the New England Patriots signed Butler to a three-year, $1.53 million contract on May 19, 2014. Butler competed for a roster spot against Dax Swanson, Justin Green, and Jemea Thomas during training camp. Butler had an impressive preseason and earned a roster spot as the sixth cornerback on the Patriots' depth chart. Bill Belichick, the head coach, named him the sixth cornerback behind Darrelle Revis, Alfonzo Dennard, Logan Ryan, Kyle Arrington, and Brandon Browner.

During the 20-33 loss, Butler made his NFL debut in the Miami Dolphins' season opener and made two solo tackles. After Alfonzo Dennard recovered from injury, he was inactive for three games as a healthy scratch (Weeks 5–7). Butler dominated the Denver Broncos 41-21 in Week 9, with a season-high four solo tackles and deflected a pass on November 2, 2014. He was inactive for two more games (Weeks 12–13) as a healthy scratch. During a 41–13 victory over the Dolphins on December 14, 2014, Butler made his first NFL appearance and had two combined tackles. During a 17-9 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 17, he had a season-high five combined tackles. In 11 games and one start, he finished his rookie season in 2014 with 15 combined tackles (14 solo) and three pass deflections.

The Patriots made a 12–4 record and were subsequently suspended in the first round bye. As the Patriots defeated the Baltimore Ravens 35–31 in the AFC Divisional Round on January 10, 2015, Butler appeared in his first NFL playoff game. The Patriots beat the Indianapolis Colts 45–7 on the AFC Championship Game last week, and the following week, he made one tackle.

Butler and the Patriots appeared in Super Bowl XLIX against the Seattle Seahawks and Butler, the fourth cornerback on the Patriots' depth chart, on February 1, 2015. After Kyle Arrington's inability to cover Chris Matthews, Butler entered the game in the third quarter at nickelback. Seattle had scored on four straight offensive possessions at the time when Butler was called in the lineup. Butler was sent by Brandon Browner to protect Jermaine Kearse. Marshawn Lynch was given the ball on a first downing by Seattle; Butler made the initial tackle but Lynch was held to two yards. Russell Wilson completed a pass to Kearse on the next play, and Butler made the tackle, holding the Seahawks to a five-yard advantage. Wilson threw deep to Kearse and Butler, causing Seattle to punt on the third down. Seattle did not score again.

Butler continued to cover wide receiver Jermaine Kearse and deflected Russell Wilson's 33-yard pass with less than a minute remaining in the fourth quarter. As he collapsed to the ground and permitted him to juggle the ball and finish the reception in what was described as one of the best catches in Super Bowl history, the deflected ball landed on Kearse. Butler pulled Kearse out of bounds at the five-yard line after recognizing that he had made the catch but was not down by phone.

Butler intercepted a pass attempt to wide receiver Ricardo Lockette at the goal line, returning possession to the Patriots and keeping the Patriots' 28–24 lead. Butler expected Wilson to throw to Lockette correctly after reading the Seahawks two-receiver stack formation. "I remember the structure they were in from the beginning." "I just beat him to the road and made the play." Butler praised Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia for properly preparing players for the game. The intercept was the first interception of Butler's NFL career. It was the first time a pass attempt from the one-yard line was intercepted during the 2014 NFL season, out of 109 attempts.

Tom Brady, the New England Patriots quarterback who received a 2015 Chevrolet Colorado as part of his Super Bowl XLIX MVP award, said he planned to give the car to Butler. Chevrolet gave the truck to Butler at Brady's behest.

Butler was promoted to a starting cornerback role at the start of the 2015 season following Darrelle Revis, Brandon Browner, and Kyle Arrington's departures. Butler made his first interception against the Buffalo Bills in Week 2 and he returned it to the Bills 30-yard line. Butler was matched up against Odell Beckham Jr. of the New York Giants, who had four catches for 104 yards and a touchdown on twelve targets on November 15. As it appeared that Beckham had gathered possession of the football for a touchdown, Butler performed a strip of Beckham in the end zone. The touchdown, which had put the Giants up to play with 1:45 to play, was nullified by the authorities and helped the Patriots hold the Giants to a field goal after which Stephen Gostkowski converted a 54-yard field goal for the Patriots with 1 second remaining. Butler limited Buffalo Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins to 39 yards on three catches last week. Butler ranked second in total snaps, behind only one in 2015, and was the only Patriot defensive player to play more than 90% of defensive snaps. Butler received a performance-based compensation bonus of $319,282.65, the highest of any Patriot in 2015 and fifth-highest in the league, as a result of his high snap count and low salary.

Butler was selected to the 2016 Pro Bowl on December 22, 2015.

Butler failed a potential touchdown pass to Michael Floyd in the fourth quarter in the season opener against the Arizona Cardinals on September 11, triggering the release of a potential touchdown pass to him. In Week 7, against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he notched his first interception, pulling off a pass from backup quarterback Landry Jones destined for wide receiver Antonio Brown. Butler sacked Colin Kaepernick against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 11. Butler intercepted rookie quarterback Jared Goff against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 13, his second interception of the season. Butler's first multi-interception game of his career against the New York Jets on Christmas Eve. He picked off both Bryce Petty and Ryan Fitzpatrick, as well as recovered a fumble. Pro Football Focus and the Associated Press named Butler as the second-team All-Pro. Butler claimed his second Super Bowl title in Super Bowl LI on February 5, 2017 as the Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons in overtime by a score of 34–28. Butler had two total tackles in the game.

Butler debuted on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017.

The Patriots gave Butler a first-round tender worth $3.91 million on March 7, 2017, anticipating him to be a restricted free agent. Butler officially signed his contract with the Patriots on April 18, 2017.

Butler was demoted to the No. 1 position after the Bills drafted former Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore to a five-year $65 million deal. Since being ranked atop the depth chart for the previous two seasons, the two seasons have a two-year gap. He played in 15 games, with 60 tackles, 12 interceptions, two interceptions, and three interceptions forced fumbles.

For the third time in Butler's career, the Patriots defeated the AFC Championship game on January 21, 2018. Butler and the Patriots lost Super Bowl LII to the Philadelphia Eagles by 41–33. Butler did not play any defensive snaps in the game; only came in for a single play on special teams.

Bill Belichick, the Patriots' head coach, said his absence from playing time was a "coach's decision" not due to scheduling conflicts, not due to disciplinary concerns. Butler replied about the benching, saying, "I don't know what it was." I guess I wasn't playing well or they didn't feel secure. I'm not sure what the hell is. However, I may have changed the game." According to reports, Belichick acknowledged that a "much longer discussion" may have arisen over Butler's absence from the game's defense. Butler was demoted in practice during the Wild Card round of the playoffs, when the Patriots had a bye week. Butler also released a note about his benching for the game later this week. It was also revealed that owner Robert Kraft was not warned of Butler's detention before time.

Butler announced on March 15, 2018 that he and former Patriots teammate Logan Ryan will be reunited for five years, $61 million contract.

Butler made his first interception of the season by picking off Ryan Tannehill in the third quarter and returning the interception 34 yards. The Titans lost by a score of 27-20. Butler was fired for the first time on the season against Carson Wentz on Sunday in Week 426-23 overtime victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. Butler did a good job in the first half of the season, but the season progressed. Butler intercepted Josh McCown in the final seconds of a Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets, resulting in the Titans' 26-22 victory. Butler intercepted Josh Johnson and returned it 56 yards against the Washington Redskins three weeks later.

Butler had a career-high 69 tackles, 12 pass deflections, three interceptions, a sack, and a touchdown during his first season with the Titans.

Butler intercepted Baker Mayfield and recovered it for a 38-yard touchdown in the 43–13 road victory. Butler made his second interception of the season by picking off Jameis Winston in the 27–23 victory over Week 8 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In the second quarter, he suffered a broken wrist against the Carolina Panthers. On the road 20-30, the Titans lost. Butler was put on injured reserve on November 5, 2019. The Titans lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game without Butler for the fourth year in a row.

Butler had two interceptions against the Buffalo Bills in Week 5 during the 42–16 victory. Butler won by 31–10 over the Jacksonville Jaguars in his third interception of the season. Mike Glennon was the target of the game. Butler intercepted his fourth interception of the season in Week 16 against the Green Bay Packers after losing by 14 to 40.

Butler intercepted a pass kicked by Lamar Jackson during the 13-20 loss in the Wild Card round of the playoffs against the Baltimore Ravens.

Butler was a rookie in 1921.

Butler signed a one-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals on March 30, 2021.

Butler resigned on August 31, 2021, citing personal reasons. Butler was placed on the reserve/retired list on the same day by the Cardinals. Butler was officially released by the Cardinals on February 18, 2022.

Butler came out of retirement on March 24, 2022, after signing a two-year deal with the New England Patriots. On August 16, 2022, he was put on inactive reserve. He was born on August 25, 2022, and died on August 25, 2022.

Source