Malcolm Butler

Malcolm Terel Butler (born March 2, 1990) is a former American football cornerback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for seven seasons.

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.

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.

He transferred to Alcorn State University before being 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 enrolled at the University of West Alabama, majoring in physical education.

He started all 12 games that fall 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 a team-leading 29.8 yards per kickoff return.

In 2013, Butler 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.

Butler played his first four seasons with the New England Patriots, who signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2014, and spent his next three seasons with the Tennessee Titans.

After retiring ahead of the 2021 season, he returned to the Patriots the following year, but was released when he suffered a preseason injury.

A two-time Super Bowl winner and Pro Bowl selection during his Patriots tenure, Butler is best known for his goal line interception in the final seconds of Super Bowl XLIX.

The interception, which prevented a go-ahead touchdown and effectively ensured the Patriots' victory, is regarded as one of the greatest plays in NFL history.

Butler was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and has four siblings.

He played in the 2014 Medal of Honor Bowl, a postseason all-star game, registering a solo tackle and an interception.

Butler received an invitation to attend the New England Patriots’ rookie minicamp.

On May 19, 2014, the New England Patriots signed Butler to a three-year, $1.53 million contract after he impressed coaches with his performance during rookie minicamp.

During training camp, Butler competed for a roster spot against Dax Swanson, Justin Green, and Jemea Thomas.

Butler had an impressive preseason and earned a roster spot as the sixth cornerback on the Patriots’ depth chart.

Head coach Bill Belichick named him the sixth cornerback, behind Darrelle Revis, Alfonzo Dennard, Logan Ryan, Kyle Arrington, and Brandon Browner.

Butler made his NFL debut in the season opener at the Miami Dolphins and made two solo tackles during their 20–33 loss.

He was inactive for three games as a healthy scratch (Weeks 5–7) after Alfonzo Dennard returned from injury.

On November 2, 2014, Butler collected a season-high four solo tackles and deflected a pass as the Patriots defeated the Denver Broncos 43–21 in Week 9.

He was inactive for another two games (Weeks 12–13) as a healthy scratch.

On December 14, 2014, Butler earned his first NFL start and recorded two combined tackles during a 41–13 victory against the Dolphins.

In Week 17, he collected a season-high five combined tackles during a 17–9 loss against the Buffalo Bills.

He finished his rookie season in 2014 with 15 combined tackles (14 solo) and three pass deflections in 11 games and one start.

The Patriots finished atop the AFC East with a 12–4 record and received a first-round bye.

On January 10, 2015, Butler appeared in his first NFL playoff game as the Patriots defeated the Baltimore Ravens 35–31 in the AFC Divisional Round.

The following week, he made one tackle as the Patriots defeated the Indianapolis Colts 45–7 during the AFC Championship Game.

On February 1, 2015, Butler and the Patriots appeared in Super Bowl XLIX against the defending champion Seattle Seahawks and Butler began the game as the fifth cornerback on the Patriots’ depth chart.

Butler entered the game in the third quarter at nickelback after Kyle Arrington struggled to cover Chris Matthews.

At the point Butler was inserted in the line-up, Seattle had scored on four straight offensive possessions.

Butler was assigned to cover Jermaine Kearse with Brandon Browner covering Chris Matthews.

On a first down, Seattle handed off to Marshawn Lynch; Butler made the initial tackle and Lynch was held to two yards.

On the next play, Russell Wilson completed a pass to Kearse, and Butler made the tackle, holding the Seahawks to a five-yard gain.

On the third down with three yards, Wilson threw deep to Kearse and Butler broke up the pass, forcing Seattle to punt.