Malcolm Butler

Malcolm Terel Butler (born March 2, 1990) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback for seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL). A two-time Super Bowl champion and 2015 Pro Bowl selection during his tenure with the New England Patriots, he is best known for his goal-line interception in the final seconds of Super Bowl XLIX, which prevented a go-ahead touchdown by the Seattle Seahawks and effectively ensured the Patriots' victory. It is regarded as one of the greatest plays in NFL history.

Butler played college football for the West Alabama Tigers. He spent his first four NFL seasons with the Patriots, who signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2014. Butler was a member of the Tennessee Titans during his final three seasons.

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. He also participated in track and field at Vicksburg, competing in sprints and jumps. Butler 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 an 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 pass deflections.

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. Butler finished the 2012 season with 49 tackles, 43 solo, five interceptions (including three in a 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 a blocked field goal, and averaging 27.9 yards on kickoff returns during the season. 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 Patriots signed Butler to a three-year, $1.53 million contract after impressing coaches with his performance during rookie minicamp. During training camp, Butler competed for a roster spot against Dax Swanson, Justin Green, and Jemea Thomas. He had an impressive preseason and earned a roster spot as the sixth cornerback on the Patriots’ depth chart. Head coach Bill Belichick named Butler 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 the 33–20 road loss. He was inactive for three games as a healthy scratch (Weeks 5–7) after Alfonzo Dennard returned from injury. During Week 9 against the Denver Broncos, Butler collected a season-high four solo tackles and deflected a pass in the 43–21 victory. He was inactive for another two games (Weeks 12–13) as a healthy scratch. During Week 15, Butler earned his first NFL start and recorded two combined tackles in a 41–13 victory over the Dolphins. In the regular-season finale against the Buffalo Bills, Butler collected a season-high five combined tackles during the 17–9 loss.