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Malcolm Butler Finally Cleared The Air On Popular Theories For Bizarre Benching During Super Bowl 52

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Malcolm Butler Super Bowl Benched Why
© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Malcolm Butler is a New England Patriots legend. However, his impressive NFL career will forever be marred by his mysterious benching during Super Bowl 52 which has yet to be explained.

Although the 34-year-old, two-year retired defensive back still refuses to provide any additional insight into the bizarre decision, he finally cleared some things up in New Orleans earlier this week.

Butler came off of the bench to win Super Bowl XLIX for the Patriots on Feb. 1, 2015. The undrafted rookie from West Alabama jumped Ricardo Lockette’s slant route to intercept Russell Wilson at the goal line with 20 seconds left. It was one of the defining plays in NFL history. Why did the Seahawks throw the ball on 2nd-and-goal from the one-yard-line instead of giving the ball to Marshawn Lynch?!

One year later, Butler started every single game at cornerback for New England, made the Pro Bowl and was named as a second-team All-Pro. He then played 1,037 snaps (97.8% of defensive snaps) in 2017 en route back to the NFL championship.

However, Butler did not play a single snap on defense during Super Bowl 52. Nick Foles threw for 373 yards and three touchdowns. The Patriots lost to the Eagles. Their best defensive back was relegated to special teams and only special teams.

Why? That’s the mystery!

Butler said after the game that he “ain’t got nothing to say.” Head coach Bill Belichick said it was a coaching decision to bench him. It was not disciplinary. Team owner Robert Kraft later called it a personal matter but did not have any additional insight.

What has been told to me is that there was something personal going on between Bill and Malcolm that was not football-related. I always felt that every decision Bill had made had been to put what was in the best interests of the team first and put emotion aside. But with Malcolm, he did just the opposite.

— Robert Kraft

So what was it?

One theory suggested that Butler was out partying during the week. He says that is not true. Another theory suggests that Butler got into a fight with Steve Belichick. He says that is also not true.

Malcolm Butler was asked about the bizarre benching on Radio Row at the Super Bowl in New Orleans. His response to the probe did not provide any additional clarity about what happened, only what didn’t happen.

The words “coaches decision” continue to be the de facto explanation for what happened. Malcolm Butler points his finger at Bill Belichick but the latter refuses to explain why he benched the former.