Following Super Bowl 52 last month, there has been much made from New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick's decision to not play former Pro Bowl cornerback Malcolm Butler. The reasoning behind that move has remained mostly a mystery over the last several weeks since the game.
Butler hasn't quite tight-lipped about the entire situation voicing little about the entire ordeal. However, he has revealed during a recent interview with Sports Illustrated that he was tempted to confront Belichick during the Super Bowl for his benching in the biggest game of the year.
"This how we gonna end this?"
Malcolm Butler reveals what went through his mind on the sideline of Super Bowl LII on SI TV: https://t.co/lhSgbhaFGf pic.twitter.com/HbgTctAJsK
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) March 30, 2018
“There was times when I was on the sideline and I just wanted to go up and say to Belichick or Matt Patricia and just say, ‘Is this how we’re gonna end this?’ I grew up in the Patriots system and I’m a man of God. I respect my authority and I just couldn’t ask them for something they didn’t want to do. I just was doing my job. I was close to going up there and saying what I wanted to say to Matt or Belichick, but I just stayed in my lane and just did my job. And I really wanted to go ask him, but I didn’t.”
The fact that there hasn't been an actual reason for the benching leaked out makes a more intriguing situation. Butler was arguably the Patriots' best defensive back and decision to not play him in a game where he could have had a huge positive impact doesn't add up.
Butler's comments further emphasize that there was a disconnect between himself and Belichick that had developed leading up to the Super Bowl. He was already edging toward a possible exit from the team and this sealed his fate to leave the only team has played for his first four years in the league.
Ultimately, it may be something that Belichick will never reveal why he decided to bench Butler in Super Bowl 52.
Follow Us
Subscribe