Malcom Butler, The Unlikely Hero

February 23, 2015

At Super Bowl XLIX (49), the game's fate turned on a dime when the ball ended up in the hands of a player nobody ever heard of before the game started. One of the most beautiful moments in team sports is when the player who once was the goat can make a redeeming play that wins the contest. It's movie material that no fan can resist. That person is Malcolm Butler, the New England Patriot cornerback. He intercepted the pass in the end zone that broke the hearts of the Seattle Seahawks and their legion of fans and delivered the thrill of victory to Patriot Nation. The win was snatched in a fleeting moment from Seattle but, in turn, carried one man into the sports history books.

If you don't know the story by now, Butler was involved in the two biggest plays of the game. With the Patriots leading by four points, under a minute to play, and Seattle making a final drive, Butler got matched up with wide receiver Jermaine Kearse. Russell Wilson threw a 33-yard throw to Kearse, which Butler deflected. However, as Kearse fell to the ground, the tipped pass landed on him, he juggled it and eventually retained possession. Kearse's catch is widely considered as one of the best of all-time in Super Bowl history. After recognizing Kearse made the reception and not downed by contact, Butler pushed him out of bounds at the five-yard line.

Two plays later, with 20 seconds remaining and the Seahawks on the Patriots' one-yard line, Butler intercepted a Wilson pass at the goal line, returning possession to the Patriots and virtually assuring their 28-24 victory.

One of five children raised by his mother in Vicksburg, Mississippi, Butler started his college football career at nearby Hinds Community College. He had a hard time getting his life together. He then transferred to West Alabama, where he turned things around and achieved conference honors. He didn't get much of a look by the pro scouts, but one NFL coach remembered him.

New England took a chance on him, and Butler made the most of his situation. He only started one game for the Patriots while improving throughout the year, and the team kept their confidence in his abilities.

Butler is a quiet and friendly young man who is very emotional about his good fortune in the Super Bowl. Tom Brady was also emotional because he gave his MVP Car Award to him. He is now the toast of the town, but he will never forget the tough road it took to getting there.