KATY – Malcolm Butler knew it was time. At age 34, after retiring previously three years ago, the former New England Patriots’ Super Bowl hero and undrafted cornerback and Pro Bowl selection is walking away from the game for good.
“I am retired,” Butler told KPRC 2 during an interview after an NFL panel discussion at Dick’s Sporting Goods. “I did the best I can do. Walking away from the game feeling comfortable. Everybody can do more, but I’m satisfied with my career. It’s time to move on and transition.”
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Butler last played in the NFL in 2022, signing a two-year contract with the Patriots to end his retirement. After being released after being placed on injured reserve, Butler worked out for the Miami Dolphins that year. He worked out for the Atlanta Falcons last year, but wasn’t signed. He previously visited the Texans and wasn’t signed by general manager Nick Caserio.
Now, he’s living in the Houston suburbs and staying busy with his real estate holdings. Butler said he wants to write movie scripts and perhaps do standup comedy.
“There’s a lot of things I can do,” he said. “I want to keep myself busy.”
Butler plans to write a book next year about his rise from from an undrafted rookie out of West Alabama to intercept Russell Wilson in the final seconds of Super Bowl XLIX to clinch a victory over the Seattle Seahawks in one of the greatest plays in NFL history.
Former #Patriots corner and Super Bowl hero Malcom Butler has retired from #NFL reflects on career including Super Bowl benching, hasn't watched 'The Dynasty' yet but plans to soon. 'I'm satisfied with my career' he plans to write a book and has real estate investments @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/goAAklPzNd
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 9, 2024
“Oh man, it was great. to play with Tom Brady and to play with so many great players, win so many games, for the first four years and go to three Super Bowls,” said Butler, the owner of two Super Bowl rings. “People play a long time and never got even close to a Super Bowl. To play with so may great players, it’s truly a blessing. To be able to play for the Kraft family, man, good people.”
Butler was discovered by the Patriots by national scout Frantzy Jourdain, a former Texans national scout and Denver Broncos area scout, after Jourdain convinced former Patriots coach Bill Belichick to invite him to a rookie minicamp tryout. Jourdain had assigned Butler a draftable grade.
Butler, who also played for the Tennessee Titans after signing a five-year, $61 million contract and finished his career with 406 tackles, 17 interceptions, three sacks and five forced fumbles and two interceptions in the postseason, was part of a controversial decision by former Patriots coach Bill Belichick during a Super Bowl LII loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Butler didn’t appear in any defensive snaps in that game, playing one play on special teams.
After the game, Belichick said Butler not playing was a “coach’s decision” not due to disciplinary issues. It was a highly unpopular decision inside the Patriots’ locker room after the 41-33 loss. At the time, Butler said: “I don’t know what it was. I guess I wasn’t playing good or they didn’t feel comfortable. I don’t know, but I could have changed the game.”
Years later, Butler addressed the decision again Saturday. He said he has not watched the segment on “The Dynasty” television series that focused on what happened.
“Oh, they sent me my clip last night,” Butler said. “I haven’t watched it. I’m going to tune in and watch it tonight.”
What happened?
“Oh man, it was just a coach’s decision,” Butler said. “Whenever I drop the book, I’ll put more details into. For the most part, it was a coach’s decision.”
Reminded that his teammates took issue with the decision from Belichick, a six-time Super Bowl winning coach, Butler replied: “Hey man, it don’t always work out like that. I’m going to check out ‘The Dynasty.’ I’m always positive. Life just be life, I’m just happy.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.