LeRoy Butler
Encyclopedia
LeRoy Butler, III is a former American football
strong safety
who played his entire career with the Green Bay Packers
(1990–2001). He spent his childhood in Jacksonville, Florida, challenged by physical problems that forced him to wear leg braces and use a wheelchair at times while undergoing therapy. In 2007, he was named to the Florida High School Association All-Century Team, which selected the "Top 33" players in the 100-year history of Florida
high school football.
, and played under the direction of the all time wins leader for a high school football coach in the state of Florida's history, Corky Rogers. Rogers has coached at both Robert E. Lee High School from 1972–1988, where he coached Butler and fellow NFL star Edgar Bennett, and from 1989–present at The Bolles School in Jacksonville, now having won a total of 8 football State Championships. Before moving onto Florida State, Butler was an outstanding player for the Robert E. Lee High School Generals football program. Butler played under head coach Bobby Bowden
at Florida State University
. He was a three-year starter, collecting 194 tackles and 9 interceptions, but he's most remembered by FSU fans for his role in the, "puntrooskie." In 1988, against rival Clemson
, FSU was backed up to its own 21-yard line, on fourth down, with a minute and 30 seconds left to play and the score tied at 21. Bowden called the famous trick play
, a fake punt. The snap went to upback Dayne Williams and he slipped the ball to Butler, who ran 78 yards to set up the game-winning field goal
.
. He played in 181 games, earned a Super Bowl ring
, for Super Bowl XXXI
, following the 1996 season
, was selected as an All-Pro
five times and was selected to the Pro Bowl
four times (1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998). He was named to the 1990s NFL All Decade Team
, by the Pro Football Hall of Fame
, and was later inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame
, in 2007.
After being selected to his first Pro Bowl, the emphasis of his first name was questioned by sports commentator John Madden
, who was told by Packers running back Edgar Bennett
that his name is pronounced ("LEE-Roy"); but, after hearing a broadcast, Butler's mother sent an e-mail to Madden describing the emphasis as ("L'ROY"). During his 12 seasons with the Packers, he recorded 953 tackles, 38 interceptions, 553 return yards, 12 fumble recoveries, 3 defensive touchdowns and 20½ sacks. He led or tied for the team lead in interceptions in five different seasons. He was the first defensive back in NFL history to gain entrance in the 20 Sack/20 Interception Club.
A broken shoulder blade sustained while tackling Atlanta Falcons
running back Jamal Anderson
in the 2001 season forced him into retirement just before the 2002 season when it was discovered it had not healed properly.
. On a second-down swing pass to running back Randy Jordan
, Butler forced a fumble that was recovered by Reggie White
at the Raiders' 35-yard-line. After running with the ball for 10 yards, White lateraled to Butler, who ran the remaining 25 yards into the end zone
and then made a spontaneous leap into the arms of fans in the south bleachers. The Packers went on to win 28-0 to clinch what would be the first of six consecutive playoff berths. The move was later popularized by wide receiver Robert Brooks
, who carried it a step further by leaping completely into the stands. This move is called the Lambeau Leap and now is used after many Packer touchdowns.
had been teammates and friends since high school at Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville, Florida
, graduating in the class of 1987. From there, they went on to play for Florida State together.
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...
strong safety
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
who played his entire career with the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
(1990–2001). He spent his childhood in Jacksonville, Florida, challenged by physical problems that forced him to wear leg braces and use a wheelchair at times while undergoing therapy. In 2007, he was named to the Florida High School Association All-Century Team, which selected the "Top 33" players in the 100-year history of Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
high school football.
College career
Butler attended Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville, FloridaJacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
, and played under the direction of the all time wins leader for a high school football coach in the state of Florida's history, Corky Rogers. Rogers has coached at both Robert E. Lee High School from 1972–1988, where he coached Butler and fellow NFL star Edgar Bennett, and from 1989–present at The Bolles School in Jacksonville, now having won a total of 8 football State Championships. Before moving onto Florida State, Butler was an outstanding player for the Robert E. Lee High School Generals football program. Butler played under head coach Bobby Bowden
Bobby Bowden
Robert Cleckler "Bobby" Bowden is a retired college football coach. He coached the Florida State Seminoles football team from the 1976 to 2009 seasons...
at Florida State University
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
. He was a three-year starter, collecting 194 tackles and 9 interceptions, but he's most remembered by FSU fans for his role in the, "puntrooskie." In 1988, against rival Clemson
Clemson University
Clemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States....
, FSU was backed up to its own 21-yard line, on fourth down, with a minute and 30 seconds left to play and the score tied at 21. Bowden called the famous trick play
Trick play
A trick play, also known as a gadget play or a gimmick play, is a play in American football that uses deception and unorthodox strategies to fool the opposing team. A trick play is often risky, offering the potential for a large gain or a touchdown if it is successful, but with the chance of a...
, a fake punt. The snap went to upback Dayne Williams and he slipped the ball to Butler, who ran 78 yards to set up the game-winning field goal
Field goal (football)
A field goal in American football and Canadian football is a goal that may be scored during general play . Field goals may be scored by a placekick or the now practically extinct drop kick.The drop kick fell out of favor in 1934 when the shape of the ball was changed...
.
Accolades and Accomplishments
Butler was selected by the Packers in the second round of the 1990 NFL draft1990 NFL Draft
The 1990 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 22–23, 1990...
. He played in 181 games, earned a Super Bowl ring
Super Bowl ring
The Super Bowl ring is an award in the National Football League given to the winners of the league's annual championship game, the Super Bowl...
, for Super Bowl XXXI
Super Bowl XXXI
Super Bowl XXXI was an American football game played on January 26, 1997, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana to decide the National Football League champion following the 1996 regular season. The National Football Conference champion Green Bay Packers defeated the American...
, following the 1996 season
1996 NFL season
The 1996 NFL season was the 77th regular season of the National Football League and the season was marked by notable controversies from beginning to end...
, was selected as an All-Pro
All-Pro
All-Pro is a term mostly used in the NFL for the best players of each position during that season. It began as polls of sportswriters in the early 1920s...
five times and was selected to the Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
four times (1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998). He was named to the 1990s NFL All Decade Team
NFL All-Decade Teams
The National Football League All-Decade Teams are honorary teams named by members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee. Members consist of players who have been part of the National Football League since its inception in 1920. The committee selects members for each team based on...
, by the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
, and was later inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame
Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame
The Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame was the first hall of fame built to honor a single professional American football team. After receiving approval from coach Vince Lombardi, William L. Brault, a Green Bay restaurateur and Packers fan, founded the Hall of Fame in 1966...
, in 2007.
After being selected to his first Pro Bowl, the emphasis of his first name was questioned by sports commentator John Madden
John Madden (American football)
John Earl Madden is a former American professional football player in the National Football League, a former Super Bowl-winning head coach with the Oakland Raiders in the American Football League and later the NFL, and a former color commentator for NFL telecasts. In 2006, he was inducted into...
, who was told by Packers running back Edgar Bennett
Edgar Bennett
Edgar Bennett III is a former National Football League running back who played for the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears , and is currently a coach for the Green Bay Packers.-High school years:...
that his name is pronounced ("LEE-Roy"); but, after hearing a broadcast, Butler's mother sent an e-mail to Madden describing the emphasis as ("L'ROY"). During his 12 seasons with the Packers, he recorded 953 tackles, 38 interceptions, 553 return yards, 12 fumble recoveries, 3 defensive touchdowns and 20½ sacks. He led or tied for the team lead in interceptions in five different seasons. He was the first defensive back in NFL history to gain entrance in the 20 Sack/20 Interception Club.
A broken shoulder blade sustained while tackling Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
running back Jamal Anderson
Jamal Anderson
Jamal Sharif Anderson is a former American football running back of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the seventh round of the 1994 NFL Draft. He played high school football at El Camino Real High School, where he was named to the CIF Los Angeles City Section...
in the 2001 season forced him into retirement just before the 2002 season when it was discovered it had not healed properly.
Lambeau Leap
Butler is credited with inventing the Lambeau Leap - a touchdown celebration in which the scoring player leaps into the arms of awaiting fans in the stands near the end zone. On December 26, 1993, the Packers were playing the visiting Los Angeles RaidersOakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. On a second-down swing pass to running back Randy Jordan
Randy Jordan
Randy Jordan is a former professional American football player who played running back for nine seasons for the Los Angeles Raiders, the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Oakland Raiders. At Jacksonville, he scored the team's first-ever touchdown in 1995...
, Butler forced a fumble that was recovered by Reggie White
Reggie White
Reginald Howard "Reggie" White was a professional American football player. He played 15 seasons as a defensive end in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers and Carolina Panthers, becoming one of the most decorated players in NFL history...
at the Raiders' 35-yard-line. After running with the ball for 10 yards, White lateraled to Butler, who ran the remaining 25 yards into the end zone
End zone
In gridiron-based codes of football, the end zone refers to the scoring area on the field. It is the area between the end line and goal line bounded by the sidelines. There are two end zones, each being on an opposite side of the field...
and then made a spontaneous leap into the arms of fans in the south bleachers. The Packers went on to win 28-0 to clinch what would be the first of six consecutive playoff berths. The move was later popularized by wide receiver Robert Brooks
Robert Brooks
Robert Darren Brooks is a former American football wide receiver who attended University of South Carolina and played for the Green Bay Packers and the Denver Broncos.-Early life:...
, who carried it a step further by leaping completely into the stands. This move is called the Lambeau Leap and now is used after many Packer touchdowns.
Teammates
LeRoy Butler and Green Bay Packer teammate Edgar BennettEdgar Bennett
Edgar Bennett III is a former National Football League running back who played for the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears , and is currently a coach for the Green Bay Packers.-High school years:...
had been teammates and friends since high school at Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
, graduating in the class of 1987. From there, they went on to play for Florida State together.