Super Bowl LII: Did Patriots' Malcom Butler Go from Star to Stoner?
As the national anthem was being played prior to the Super Bowl, those fans and viewers who weren't staring at their watches might''ve caught sight of a teary-eyed CB Malcolm Butler on the New England Patriots' sideline.
Or was it bleary-eyed?
Dude knew he was outta the lineup for the big game. It didn't emerge until later as to why.
It was probably a combination of a few alleged things:
- Butler didn't have the best of practice weeks,
- He arrived in Minneapolis a day later than the team, and
- He apparently was bogged down with an illness.
Dude was clearly shaken up about the fact he didn't play a single snap on defense, only appearing on special teams.
The play that raised the level of controversy resulted in Philadelphia's first touchdown.
Alshon Jeffery had Butler's replacement, Eric Rowe, covering him like TMZ and still hauled in the pigskin:
Pats coach Bill Belichick was tight-lipped as ever after the game as quesions about Butler persisted.
Not long after, though, stuff starting seeing the light of day.
It began as unconfirmed reports like this:
A family friend who I trust, is well connected in law enforcement and was in Minny this week with local cops told me Butler missed curfew, got caught with weed when he came back late to hotel, and subsequently had a meltdown on coaches
— Joey Cartolano (@JoeyPigskins) February 5, 2018
Ultimately, the press did some digging to verify.
The story came up positive, possibly like Butler's urine test might've done.
Bummer.
Thus ends the Patriot career of the dude who saved Super Bowl XLIX for them:
Butler's a free agent, and the market for his services should be robust.
Even with all things considered. At least, that's what he hopes.
This is The Shield, after all.