Bill Belichick reflects upon Malcolm Butler’s career but dodges question on benching
Over the weekend, a report revealed why New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick may have benched cornerback Malcolm Butler in the Super Bowl. Tuesday, it was made clear that Belichick will still not reveal why it occurred.
Speaking on the Greg Hill Show , Belichick offered praise for Butler. Butler was a former undrafted player whose stock rose following his game-clinching interception in Super Bowl XLIX. He spent eight seasons in the NFL, playing with the Patriots from 2014-2017. He then the played for the Tennessee Titans from 2018-2020.
Butler signed a one-year deal with Arizona March, before retiring on August 31.
Belichick had nothing but praise for his former corner.
“Malcolm’s a great story,” Belichick said. “You’re talking about a kid that’s undrafted, really couldn’t even get into a training camp. And then, when we brought him up here for a rookie minicamp tryout — he wasn’t even signed when brought him up here — to see the fact that he had talent, and to see him grow and develop as a player, as a person when he was here, and what his four years of play here meant to this organization, it’s pretty impressive. There’s not a lot of guys that do what he (did). Although, J.C. Jackson has followed a similar path. But again that’s very unusual, just in terms of playing time and all that.
“I always enjoyed coaching Malcolm, and I have a lot of respect for the way he competed and what he did, very similar to David Patten, coming from nowhere and establishing (himself) and having a really good NFL career. … Business is business and sometimes players move on for better opportunities, like Malcolm did to Tennessee or David Patten did when he signed in Washington.
As far as the Super Bowl benching incident, Belichick gave a shorter answer.
“In retrospect, again, looking back, I always try to do what’s best for the football team. And that’s what I’ll continue to do — try to look ahead and not back too much.”
In a productive career, Malcolm Butler has a spot in New England Patriots history.
