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Malcolm Butler      

New England Patriots Cornerback Who Went from Popeyes Employee to Super Bowl XLIX Hero

Malcolm Butler is a cornerback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. Butler's interception at the goal line with 20 seconds left in Super Bowl XLIX allowed the Patriots to maintain their lead over the Seattle Seahawks 28-24, resulting in the Patriots' victory.

Butler was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi and has four siblings. He graduated from Vicksburg High School in 2009. Butler only played football his freshman and senior years at the high school, but earned a scholarship to Hinds Community College in Raymond, Mississippi.

In his 2009 freshman year at Hinds Community College, Butler recorded 22 tackles and one interception, but was kicked off the team after the fifth game of the season. Butler was invited back to Hinds Community College in 2011, and as a sophomore recorded 43 tackles, three interceptions, and 12 broken-up passes.

In 2012, Butler transferred to the University of West Alabama, majoring in physical education. He started all 12 games that fall for the Division II Tigers. Butler finished the 2012 season with 49 tackles, 43 solo, five interceptions (including three in one game against West Georgia), and averaged a team-leading 29.8 yards per kickoff return. In 2013 he was named a Beyond Sports Network All-American after recording 45 tackles, two interceptions, and one blocked field goal, and averaging 27.9 yards on kickoff returns during the season.

In 2013 at the University of West Alabama, Butler broke up 18 passes and had two interceptions and was named first team All-Gulf South Conference at cornerback.

On May 19, 2014, Butler signed with the New England Patriots after going undrafted in the 2014 NFL Draft.[5] In his rookie season, Malcolm Butler appeared in 11 games with 1 start, recording 15 tackles and 3 passes defensed. He made his first start at defensive back against Miami on December 14, finishing with two tackles.

Butler was involved in two key plays in Super Bowl XLIX, including the biggest play of the game, an interception at the goalline. With the Patriots leading by four points, under a minute to play and Seattle making a final drive, Butler was matched up with wide receiver Jermaine Kearse. Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson threw a 33-yard sideline pass to Kearse that Butler deflected. However, as Kearse fell to the ground, the tipped pass landed on him, he juggled it and eventually retained possession. Kearse's catch was widely reported as one of the greatest in Super Bowl history. After recognizing that Kearse had made the catch and was not down by contact, Butler pushed him out of bounds at the five-yard line.

Two plays later, with 20 seconds remaining and the Seahawks on the Patriots' one-yard line, Butler intercepted a Wilson pass at the goal line, returning possession to the Patriots and maintaining the 28-24 lead. Butler said that he had guessed correctly that Wilson would throw to Ricardo Lockette, having read the Seahawks two receiver stack formation. "From preparation, I remembered the formation they were in ... I just beat him to the route and made the play." Butler gave credit to Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia for preparing players well for the game. New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who received a 2015 Chevrolet Colorado as part of his Super Bowl XLIX MVP Award, said he planned to give the truck to Butler.

News


Malcolm Butler's journey from 'good employee' at Popeyes to Patriots'
Four years ago, Malcolm Butler worked for Popeye's. Sunday night, he became a Super Bowl hero.
Malcolm Butler: 'I knew what was going to happen' - NFL.com
Before Malcolm Butler carved out his place in New England Patriots and Super Bowl lore on Sunday, he came face-to-face with NFL infamy.

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