(Image via hoodline.com)
Volunteer Writer: Aidan Danforth
Email: adanforth@umassd.edu
On March 16, former Patriots and Titans cornerback Malcolm Butler was arrested for a DUI in Province, Rhode Island.
The incident started at 3:30 AM when Butler was questioned by police due to him blocking traffic on Mineral Spring Avenue.
When the police approached his car, they noticed that his breath smelled like alcohol and that his eyes looked bloodshot. When asked about the alcohol, “Butler allegedly told officers that he was coming from a studio in Providence where he was making music.”
During the questioning, Butler was sweating, and when asked about drinking, Butler said, “Take me to jail.”
Butler was brought to the police station, where he refused to take an alcohol test. This resulted in Butler having three charges: DUI, stopping at a prohibited intersection, and refusing to take a chemical test.
Before the court hearing, John Harwood, Butler’s attorney, claimed his client’s rights of the fourth, sixth, and fourteenth amendment rights were broken. During the short hearing on March 28, Butler claimed he was not guilty.
Butler’s next court appearance will be on April 18th.
NFL Career
Out of college, Butler was a solid cornerback and returner for the University of West Alabama. He played at the Medal of Honor Bowl, but it wasn’t enough for him to be drafted into the NFL.
The New England Patriots took a chance at Butler when they signed him as an undrafted free agent. He got a three-year deal and earned a roster spot thanks to his impressive preseason performances.
He didn’t do much in his rookie year but made some impact as a backup and started a few games late in the 2014 season.
Butler’s most memorable moment was back in 2015, where in Super Bowl 49, when he caught a game-winning interception at the one yard line. That began the debate of what would happen if the Seahawks let Marshawn run it.
Thanks to Butler, the Patriots won their fourth of six Super Bowl titles under Head Coach Bill Belichick. Butler also won another ring with the Patriots, as he was part of the 28-3 comeback against the Atlanta Falcons.
He spent two years with the Patriots before joining the Titans in 2018. He spent three seasons with the Titans before retiring in 2021. Then, came out of retirement in 2022 to sign with the Patriots.
He suffered a season-ending injury in training camp that forced the Patriots to release him. Butler once again announced his retirement in March 2024 before he was charged with DUI.
With a decent NFL year, including winning a team a Super Bowl, many people are wondering why he would do this.
It’s not just Butler; many other athletes have had problems like this, where they do something impulsive and end up dealing with the law.
Part of this might have to do with fame. Some athletes don’t know how to deal with the pressure of being famous, so they do otherwise illegal things like drunk driving.
Like injuries, this will never end. In this ever-changing world, many athletes don’t know what to do under large amounts of pressure and end up engaging in illegal activities.
Players like Alvin Kamara have gotten some light, while others like Calvin Ridley and Deshaun Watson have gotten worse punishments. Other NFL players, like Antonio Brown and Henry Ruggs, have ruined their careers with impulsive behavior.
Behavior like this can also happen in retired NFL players like Malcolm Butler.
Although people don’t know what Butler’s consequences will be, it serves as an example of NFL players taking in their fame the wrong way and acting recklessly, which results in them being a negative headliner on the news.