Malcolm Butler’s interception with 20 seconds left — and the Seattle Seahawks’ play-call that led to it — gave the New England Patriots a 28-24 win in Sunday’s darn-good Super Bowl. But who is this Butler fella? Let’s take a look.
Where did he go to college?
West Alabama, after he started his college career at Hinds Community College in Raymond, Miss.
Oooh, Alabama! Roll Tide!
No, West Alabama, a Division II program in Livingston.
Has he ever worked at, say, a Popeyes fast-food restaurant?
Holy cow, great question! Yes, Butler worked at Popeyes for a stretch in 2010 after he was kicked out of Hinds (he won’t say why, but he has a charge for possession of drug paraphernalia on his record). After working and taking classes at Alcorn State, Butler worked his way back on the team and eventually made it to West Alabama and then the Patriots.
When was he drafted?
He wasn’t. The Patriots signed him as an undrafted free agent in May.
Does he have a nickname?
Butler was dubbed “Strap” shortly after signing with the team, though it has morphed to “Scrap” in some corners. ESPN explains:
Butler picked up the nickname shortly after signing with the Patriots on May 19, after teammates noticed him putting the “straps” on receivers on the practice field. Running back Brandon Bolden said he came up with it, and some teammates turned it into “Scrap” because Butler was always scrapping for the ball.
So what was an undrafted rookie from a no-name college doing in the game?
Per ESPN, teammate Kyle Arrington was having trouble locking down Chris Matthews, the Seahawks’ 6-foot-5, 218-pound wide receiver. So the Patriots inserted Butler, who is 5-11 and 190 pounds. Butler ended up playing 18 snaps after playing 14 against the Colts in the AFC title game (he didn’t play at all on defense in the Patriots’ playoff opener against the Ravens). During the regular season, Butler played in 11 games, notching 14 tackles.
Is he going to Disneyland?
Yes.