The New England Patriots built one of the most prolific dynasties in NFL history — winning 6 Super Bowls — and only missing the playoffs three seasons from 2001-2021. They reached the AFC Championship 13 times during the historical run and reached two more Super Bowls to the New York Giants.
Cornerback Malcom Butler was a part of two of those Super Bowls and was responsible for one of the most iconic plays in NFL history.
After a perfect (16-0) season in 2007, the Patriots were so close to winning yet another Lombardi Trophy, but the infamous helmet catch from David Tyree on a last-second attempt form Eli Manning set the Giants up to kick a game winning field goal and New York escaped with the 17-14 win.
In 2011, the Pats had a chance for revenge, but once again fell to the Giants 21-17.
Even with a few heartbreaking losses along the way, it’s almost impossible to fathom the amount of success Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots had for a 20-year run.
There are many memorable plays along the way, but one of the most legendary moments to secure a Super Bowl for New England came in the last-minute victory over the Seattle Seahawks to close out the 2014 season.
Voted the 10th greatest play in NFL history, the most improbable Super Bowl win took place at the University of Phoenix Stadium on the first day of February in 2015.
The Seattle Seahawks were within a yard of a second straight NFL title. It was Super Bowl XLIX, and they trailed the Patriots, 28-24, with 26 seconds left but had the ball on a second-and-goal from the New England 1.
Out of the shotgun, Seattle’s quarterback, Russell Wilson, took the snap and zipped a quick slant to wide receiver Ricardo Lockette, who initially looked open. New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler, though, an undrafted rookie out of West Alabama, read the play and reached Lockette at the same time as the ball.
With lightning-quick reflexes Butler caught the ball at the goal line for an interception and went down with it to clinch the Super Bowl for the Patriots, their fourth title in franchise history.
Butler later said “I kept seeing Russ (Wilson) look over at my side and knew something was up. So I just jumped the route and made the play.”
Tom Brady still refers to the iconic play as one of the biggest moments in Super Bowl history. That’s saying a lot.
Former New England Patriots Star Malcolm Butler Announces NFL Retirement
On Saturday 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.”
Malcolm 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 for the New England Patriots over the Seattle Seahawks in one of the greatest plays in NFL history.
“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.”
Malcolm Butler 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.
He was part of a controversial decision by former New England 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.”