Former Patriot Malcolm Butler arrested in North Providence. What we know.

NORTH PROVIDENCE − Malcolm Butler, the former New England Patriots cornerback, was arrested early Saturday morning.

Butler was charged with driving under the influence of liquor and refusal to submit to a chemical test, North Providence Police Chief Alfredo Ruggiero Jr., said Tuesday.

Butler drew attention from a North Providence officer at 3:22 a.m. on Saturday while he was at the wheel of a white Mercedes-Benz that was stopped and blocking westbound traffic on Mineral Spring Avenue, Ruggiero said.

During an encounter with Butler, the officer detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on Butler's breath and also observed that the driver's speech was slurred, his eyes were watery and severely bloodshot, police say.

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Butler, who produced a Mississippi driver's license, declined to submit to a field sobriety test requested by the officer, police say.

The officer then arrested Butler and charged him.

Butler was cited with parking or stopping in a prohibited area.

The Mercedes-Benz, which had a Rhode Island license plate, is registered to Butler, Ruggiero said.

Butler told the officer he had been at a recording studio in Providence where he was making music, he said.

Arrest follows recent confirmation of retirement

Butler's arrest trails some reports earlier this month that confirmed his retirement from professional football.

"I am retired," Butler told Houston's KPRC 2 television during an interview.

In the same March 10 report, Butler said he was living in Houston and he expressed an interest in doing standup comedy and writing a book about his football career.

Storybook football fame

Butler was a defensive player with the job of preventing receivers from catching and running with the football.

His path to NFL stardom is a storybook tale.

As an unknown, undrafted rookie from Division 2 West Alabama, he made the Patriots' roster in 2014.

Later that season, with 20 seconds remaining in the Super Bowl, Butler made an interception on the goal line, thwarting a dangerous Seahawks drive for the endzone.

Butler's defense on the play secured the Patriots' victory and made him famous.

The following season, he earned All-Pro honors. And in 2017, he participated in another Patriots' Super Bowl victory.

He didn't play a single down when the Patriots returned to the Super Bowl in 2018, however.

That March, Butler signed a $61.25-million contract with the Tennessee Titans.

He played three seasons with Tennessee, signed a one-year-deal with Arizona and landed back in Foxboro in early 2022 before the Patriots released him that summer.

Butler is expected to appear Thursday morning in District Court, Warwick.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Former Patriot Malcolm Butler arrested in North Providence, RI