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Brad Butler
Brad Butler
Brad Butler
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Bradley Jay Butler, Jr. (born September 18, 1983) is an American former professional football guard and tackle for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Bills in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL draft. He played high school football at E.C. Glass High School and college football at the University of Virginia.

Key Information

College career

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Butler is one of three Cavaliers in school history to start four consecutive bowl games. He started 31 consecutive games at right tackle, the longest streak at the University of Virginia since 1998. As a senior, Butler started all 11 games he played. Butler drew attention in 2005 when he hit Boston College defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka with a chop-block in the back of his knees several seconds after the whistle, in what is referred to as "the cheap shot heard 'round the ACC."[1] Butler was suspended for the following game by his own team as a result of the dirty late hit. He won the Rock Weir Most Improved Player Award in 2005.

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill
6 ft 7+1⁄8 in
(2.01 m)		 310 lb
(141 kg)		 33+1⁄2 in
(0.85 m)		 10+1⁄8 in
(0.26 m)		 4.75 s 7.51 s
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[2][3]

Butler was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL draft with the 143rd overall pick.[4] He played in two games with the Bills in his rookie season. On September 2, 2007, he was named the starting right guard for the Bills. In 2009, Butler was voted to USA Today's All-Joe Team which honors hardworking and valuable players who are overlooked. He was limited to just two games in 2009 after sustaining a serious knee injury in Week 2 against Tampa Bay. He retired from professional football after the 2009 season, stating, "My passion for education, country and community is something that I am ready to devote my full attention to. I believe the best way to pursue these spheres of interest is to step away from the game of football at this point in my life."[5] Butler started all but two of the 33 career games he played in.

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Brad Butler

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from Grokipedia
Bradley Jay Butler, Jr. (born September 18, 1983), is an American former professional football offensive tackle who played for the of the (NFL). Born in , Butler attended the , where he played before entering the NFL. He was selected by the in the fifth round (143rd overall pick) of the . Standing at 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 292 pounds during his playing career, Butler primarily lined up as a right tackle and occasionally as a guard. Over four seasons with the Bills from 2006 to 2009, Butler appeared in 33 games and started 31 of them, providing protection on the offensive line during a period of team rebuilding. In a surprising move, he announced his retirement from professional football on February 18, 2010, at the age of 26, just after completing his fourth season as a starter.

Early life

Childhood and family

Bradley Jay Butler was born on September 18, 1983, in Lynchburg, Virginia. He grew up in Lynchburg and attended E. C. Glass High School as part of his early education.

High school career

Brad Butler played high school football at E. C. Glass High School in Lynchburg, Virginia, where he primarily competed as an offensive tackle (OT). As a senior in the class of 2002, he stood at 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighed 265 pounds, attributes that made him a prototypical tackle prospect. Butler earned recognition as a top recruit in , ranking No. 24 in the state according to composite evaluations for the 2002 class. These accolades underscored his role in bolstering E. C. Glass's offensive efforts, though specific team records from that era remain limited. In February 2002, Butler committed to the during , joining a recruiting class that included several in-state talents. His decision capped a process that positioned him as a key addition to the Cavaliers' offensive line.

College career

Early college years

Brad Butler arrived at the in 2002 as a highly touted recruit from E.C. Glass High School in , where his performance as an offensive lineman earned him a spot in the Cavaliers' program under head coach . As a true freshman in 2002, Butler saw limited playing time during the regular season, appearing in several games primarily to gain experience at right tackle while focusing on physical conditioning to build his frame. Initially listed at 6 feet 8 inches and around 265 pounds upon enrollment, Butler worked intensively in the team's strength program to add mass and power, reaching approximately 274 pounds by the end of the season as he adapted to the rigors of college-level competition. His development emphasized functional strength for blocking against ACC defenses, guided by UVA's coaching staff, including offensive line coach Tom O'Brien, who stressed technique and footwork fundamentals to prepare young linemen for starting roles. Butler's most notable action that year came in the Continental Tire Bowl against , where he earned his first start at right tackle in Virginia's 48-22 victory, contributing to an offensive line that featured multiple freshmen and supported a balanced attack. In his sophomore year of 2003, Butler earned the starting right tackle position and started all 13 games, refining his skills under Groh's pro-style offensive system. Over his first two seasons, Butler started 14 games (1 in 2002 and 13 in 2003), building toward a prominent role. During this period, he began pursuing a major in government studies, balancing academics with football demands and serving an internship under former U.S. Congressman Jack Kemp in Washington, D.C. The coaching influences from Groh and his staff, including emphasis on discipline and versatility in pass protection, were instrumental in Butler's progression, setting the foundation for his emergence as a starter in subsequent years.

Later college years and achievements

During his junior season in 2004, Butler solidified his role as the starting right tackle for the , starting all 12 regular-season games and contributing to an 8-4 overall record that included an MPC Computers berth. In his senior year of 2005, Butler started 11 of 12 regular-season games despite a one-game suspension, helping anchor an offensive line that supported a 7-5 team en route to the . His consecutive starting streak reached a then-school-record 31 games during the season, the longest such run at the since 1998. The suspension stemmed from a controversial chop block on defensive end late in a 28-17 loss on , after which emphasized the play's over-aggressiveness and the need for accountability, resulting in Butler missing the following game against Florida State. He returned for the remainder of the regular season and started in the victory over , becoming one of only three Cavaliers to start in four consecutive bowl games. Butler was recognized with the Rock Weir Most Improved Player Award in spring 2005, shared with linebacker Jon Copper, for his development and leadership on the offensive line. Over his college career, he amassed 31 starts at right tackle, providing stability that aided Virginia's offensive efforts, including improved rushing output during his final season. As a senior, Butler also prepared intensively for the NFL Draft, showcasing his skills to scouts and earning a fifth-round selection by the in 2006.

Professional career

NFL draft and rookie season

Butler measured 6 feet 7⅛ inches tall, weighed 310 pounds, and had 33½-inch arms at the , showcasing the physical attributes that made him a prospect for offensive line roles. His experience as a multi-year starter at the in a aided his draft stock. The selected Butler in the fifth round (143rd overall) of the . Following the draft, Butler signed a four-year rookie contract worth $1.785 million, including a $175,000 . Initially projected as a guard based on his position, he demonstrated versatility by at both guard and tackle during his early professional development, with the Bills soon transitioning him toward the tackle position. In his 2006 season, Butler appeared in two games for the Bills without recording a start, reflecting his initial adjustment to the professional level amid competition on the offensive line depth chart.

Established career and injuries

In 2007, Butler earned the starting right guard position for the after overcoming a that sidelined him during much of . He played in all 16 games that season, starting 16 times, contributing to an offensive line that allowed 40 sacks, a marked improvement from the prior year. This performance built on his rookie-year experience, where he appeared in two games, positioning him as a reliable interior lineman. Butler continued as the starting right guard in 2008, appearing in 13 games with 13 starts, missing three consecutive games (Weeks 8–10) due to a knee sprain sustained in Week 7 against the . During the offseason prior to that year, he interned at Kemp Partners, a Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm, gaining experience in alongside former Bills quarterback . His consistent play earned him a five-year extension worth $9.095 million in June 2008, reflecting the team's confidence in his role on the line. The 2009 season marked a significant setback for Butler, who transitioned to right tackle but was limited to just two games after suffering a season-ending right injury in Week 2 against the . The injury occurred when defensive lineman Stylez White rolled up on his leg during a pass play, requiring surgery and placement on injured reserve. Over his four NFL seasons with the Bills, Butler appeared in 33 games, starting 31, primarily at guard before the brief shift to tackle.

Retirement

On February 18, 2010, Brad Butler informed the organization of his decision to retire from professional football, a move that caught the team and league by surprise. At the time, Butler was 26 years old and had completed four seasons in the , having been selected by the Bills in the fifth round of the 2006 draft. His announcement came shortly after offseason preparations, amid ongoing recovery from a season-ending injury sustained in Week 2 of the 2009 campaign against the , which limited him to just two games that year. The primary reasons for Butler's retirement were the lingering effects of his 2009 knee injury, which had hampered his performance and mobility, coupled with a strong personal desire to pursue interests outside of football. In his official statement, Butler emphasized that while he appreciated his time with the Bills, his passion for education, country, and community involvement had grown to the point where he was ready to dedicate himself fully to those areas. Teammates and coaches later reflected on his longstanding interest in politics and civic engagement, noting that the injury served as a catalyst for reevaluating his career path. Butler's departure created an immediate challenge for the Bills' offensive line, as he had been the starting right tackle entering the 2010 season, leaving the team to seek a replacement through free agency or the draft to bolster their protection for quarterback . Following the announcement, Butler did not return to professional football in any capacity, marking the end of his tenure after 33 regular-season games.

Personal life

Post-NFL pursuits

Following his retirement from the after the 2009 season, Brad Butler shifted his focus to non-athletic career paths, driven by long-standing interests in and . He majored in government studies at the , where he developed a keen interest in and . This academic background laid the foundation for his post-football pursuits, emphasizing policy and community-oriented initiatives over a return to competitive sports. A notable example of Butler's policy interests occurred during his 2008 offseason, when he interned for three months at Kemp Partners, a government relations firm in , founded by former quarterback and U.S. Congressman . In this role, Butler assisted with day-to-day operations on , gaining insights into legislative processes and economic issues such as taxes and regulations, under Kemp's direct mentorship. Kemp, who continued advising Butler after the internship by sharing relevant articles, recognized his potential in political spheres and encouraged his exploration of these areas. Upon retiring at age 26, Butler stated: "My passion for , country and community is something that I am ready to pursue full time." To prepare for these endeavors, he participated in the NFL's business management and entrepreneurial programs at prestigious institutions, including , , and the . Since 2010, Butler has maintained a low public profile, with no publicly available details on his professional activities as of 2025.

References

  1. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/bio/_/id/9729/brad-butler
  2. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/ButlBr20.htm
  3. https://www.nfl.com/players/brad-butler/
  4. https://www.nfl.com/news/bills-lose-starting-rt-butler-who-stunningly-retires-at-age-26-09000d5d8167686e
  5. https://www.buffalobills.com/news/brad-butler-announces-retirement-1072937
  6. https://www.espn.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/11017/a-look-at-butlers-decision-to-retire-at-26
  7. https://247sports.com/season/2002-football/compositerecruitrankings/?InstitutionGroup=HighSchool&State=VA
  8. https://247sports.com/player/brad-butler-50772/
  9. https://virginiasports.com/news/2002/02/06/virginia-football-signing-day/
  10. https://archive.techsideline.com/tslpass/2005/article430.htm
  11. https://virginiasports.com/news/2002/09/23/gameday-article/
  12. http://nationalchamps.net/2003/sub/teams/virginia.htm
  13. https://www.pilotonline.com/2006/11/22/end-of-a-promising-recruiting-class-at-uva/
  14. https://virginiasports.com/news/2002/12/29/game-notes-5/
  15. https://archive.techsideline.com/football/2003/games/uvapreview.htm
  16. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/brad-butler-1.html
  17. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/virginia/2004-schedule.html
  18. https://www.dailypress.com/2004/11/18/and-now-introducing/
  19. https://virginiasports.com/news/2005/10/10/football-player-brad-butler-suspended-for-one-game/
  20. https://americanfootballdatabase.fandom.com/wiki/Brad_Butler
  21. https://virginiasports.com/news/2005/04/23/2005-football-captains-named/
  22. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/2006-combine.htm
  23. https://www.nfl.com/prospects/brad-butler/32004255-5411-4172-e089-6baa3d198d22
  24. https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/4935/brad-butler
  25. https://www.buffalobills.com/news/butler-returns-to-the-edge-486670
  26. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/ButlBr20/gamelog/2006/
  27. https://www.buffalobills.com/news/butler-named-starting-right-guard-316693
  28. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/ButlBr20/gamelog/2008/
  29. https://www.buffalobills.com/news/brad-butler-remembers-jack-kemp-479350
  30. https://www.nfl.com/news/coming-off-earning-starting-job-bills-sign-ol-butler-to-extensi-09000d5d80901932
  31. https://www.nfl.com/news/knee-injury-to-sideline-bills-rt-butler-for-season-09000d5d812cf4a7
  32. https://www.buffalobills.com/news/butler-lost-for-season-778237
  33. https://www.espn.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/10606/bills-ot-butler-announces-retirement
  34. https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/starting-rt-stuns-bills-retires-from-nfl-at-26
  35. https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-linemen-shocked-by-butler-retirement-1073884
  36. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/348108-buffalo-bills-brad-butlers-retirement-leaves-gaping-holes-at-tackle
  37. https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2010/2/18/1316726/bills-ot-brad-butler-to-retire
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