Super Bowl heroes are remembered forever. Their highlights live on for decades, and NFL fans will always recall where they were when Don Beebe forced Leon Lett to fumble, Kevin Dyson came up a half-yard short, David Tyree pinned the ball against his helmet or Malcolm Butler intercepted a pass at the goal line.
But in Butler’s case, that doesn’t mean the New England Patriots will ignore the cornerback showing up late to voluntary organized team activities.
According to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald, weather delayed Butler’s arrival:
“Butler was late for the first practice of organized team activities May 18 because he missed a flight on the way to Boston due to weather issues, and he was held off the practice field for three weeks, according to a team source. Butler attempted to fly into Boston the day before OTAs, but the weather-related issues pushed his arrival into the next day.”
Howe notes Butler told the team his flight was cancelled, but coaches offered no sympathy and didn’t allow the cornerback on the practice field for three weeks.
Though he’s probably no longer on the “good” side of some coaches, Butler should benefit from Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browners—New England’s top two corners last season—signing elsewhere this offseason.
Bradley Fletcher, Logan Ryan and Justin Green are the team’s best available corners, so despite Butler’s less-than-punctual start to the summer, the Patriots staff will likely rely on the Super Bowl hero throughout the 2015 campaign.
It’s safe to say that from now on, Butler will schedule earlier flights.
Photo: USA Today Sports