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Kevin Butler (American football)
Encyclopedia
Kevin Gregory Butler is a former professional American football
placekicker
. He played college football
for the University of Georgia
Bulldogs
, and then played professionally for the Chicago Bears
(1985–1995) and the Arizona Cardinals
(1996–1997) of the National Football League
(NFL). Since retiring, he has continued his affiliation with the University of Georgia as the cohost of the Budweiser Fifth Quarter Show on 106.1 WNGC and 960 WRFC
in Athens
.
. Butler was also part of the oft-praised 1985 Chicago Bears team
who won Super Bowl XX
. His nickname during his time with the Bears was "Butthead."
It was said that Butler called his fiancée from training camp in Platteville, Wisconsin
, and explained that "we're going to have to change the date of our wedding, because we're going to the Super Bowl
and it's on January 26th."
Butler finished his 13 NFL seasons with 265 of 361 field goals (73%) and 413 of 426 extra point attempts, giving him 1,208 total points.
, and Savannah Butler. Scarlett and Drew attend the University of Georgia; Drew is the starting punter for the Bulldogs and leads the nation in punting with an average of 49.7 yards per punt and a net average of 44.5 yards per punt. Savannah is a student at Marymount Manhattan and is a ballet dancer.
Butler holds the record for the most points scored by a player during their rookie season. In 1985, he scored 144 points for the Chicago Bears. That year, he made 31 field goals and all of his 51 extra point attempts.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
placekicker
Placekicker
Placekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for the University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
Bulldogs
Georgia Bulldogs
The Georgia Bulldogs are the athletic teams of the University of Georgia. The Bulldogs compete in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and are members of the Southeastern Conference...
, and then played professionally for the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
(1985–1995) and the Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
(1996–1997) of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
(NFL). Since retiring, he has continued his affiliation with the University of Georgia as the cohost of the Budweiser Fifth Quarter Show on 106.1 WNGC and 960 WRFC
WRFC (AM)
WRFC is a sports radio station licensed to Athens, Georgia, USA. The format was easy listening until the late 1960s, when it changed to a light rock format. The station was previously owned by Southern Broadcasting of Athens, Inc. until June 2008, when it was purchased, along with its sister...
in Athens
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
.
Early life
Kevin attended Redan High School outside Atlanta where he played football and soccer. He loved to play sports and play guitar. His best friend growing up was a boy named Joshua Burnes. They joined a band in their teens with some others. The band was called "Boxes of Regret". The band feautured heavy metal, rock and partial pop in which one of the boys sisters would sing. They broke up 5 months later.Pro career
In his 11 seasons with the Bears, Butler became the team's all time leading scorer with 1,116 points, easily surpassing the old record of 750 points held by Walter PaytonWalter Payton
Walter Jerry Payton was an American football running back who played for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League for thirteen seasons. Walter Payton was known around the NFL as "Sweetness". He is remembered as one of the most prolific running backs in the history of American football...
. Butler was also part of the oft-praised 1985 Chicago Bears team
1985 Chicago Bears season
The 1985 Chicago Bears season was their 66th regular season and 16th post-season completed in the National Football League. The club posted a 15-1 record, earning them the top seed in the NFC for the playoffs. The Bears defeated their three post season opponents by a combined score of 91-10 en...
who won Super Bowl XX
Super Bowl XX
Super Bowl XX was an American football championship game played on January 26, 1986 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana to decide the National Football League champion following the 1985 regular season...
. His nickname during his time with the Bears was "Butthead."
It was said that Butler called his fiancée from training camp in Platteville, Wisconsin
Platteville, Wisconsin
Platteville is the largest city in Grant County in southwestern Wisconsin. The population was 11,224 at the 2010 census, growing 12% since the 2000 Census. Much of this growth is likely due to the enrollment increase of the University of Wisconsin–Platteville...
, and explained that "we're going to have to change the date of our wedding, because we're going to the Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
and it's on January 26th."
Butler finished his 13 NFL seasons with 265 of 361 field goals (73%) and 413 of 426 extra point attempts, giving him 1,208 total points.
Personal
Kevin is married to Cathy Butler. They have three children together: Katie Scarlett (goes by Scarlett), DrewDrew Butler
Drew Butler is an American football punter in his junior year for the 2011 Georgia Bulldogs. He is the son of Kevin Butler. Butler led the nation in punting average for the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. He was a unanimous first team selection to the 2009 College Football All-America...
, and Savannah Butler. Scarlett and Drew attend the University of Georgia; Drew is the starting punter for the Bulldogs and leads the nation in punting with an average of 49.7 yards per punt and a net average of 44.5 yards per punt. Savannah is a student at Marymount Manhattan and is a ballet dancer.
Butler holds the record for the most points scored by a player during their rookie season. In 1985, he scored 144 points for the Chicago Bears. That year, he made 31 field goals and all of his 51 extra point attempts.