LeRoy Butler, III (born July 19, 1968) is a former American football strong safety who played his entire career with the Green Bay Packers (1990-2001). He spent his childhood in Jacksonville, Florida, challenged by physical problems that forced him to wear leg braces and use a wheelchair at times while undergoing therapy [1].
College career
Butler played under head coach Bobby Bowden at Florida State University. He was a three-year starter, collecting 194 tackles and 9 interceptions, but he's most remembered by FSU fans for his role in the "puntrooskie"[2]. In 1988, against rival Clemson, FSU was backed up to its own 21-yard line on fourth down with 1:30 left to play and the score tied at 21. Bowden called the famous trick play, a fake punt. The snap went to upback Dayne Williams and he slipped the ball to Butler, who ran 78 yards to set up the game-winning field goal.
NFL career
Butler was selected by the Packers in the second round of the 1990 draft. He played in 181 games, earned a Super Bowl ring after the 1996 season and was selected to the Pro Bowl four times(1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998). He was named to the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team by the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
After being selected to his first Pro Bowl, he changed the emphasis on his first name from Leroy (LEEroy) to LeRoy (l'ROY) because it sounded classier. During his 12 seasons with the Packers, he recorded 953 tackles, 38 interceptions, and 20 1/2 sacks. He led or tied for the team lead in interceptions in five different seasons.
A broken shoulder blade sustained while tackling Atlanta Falcons running back Jamal Anderson in the 2001 season forced him into retirement just before the 2002 season when it was discovered it had not healed properly. [3].
Butler is credited with inventing the Lambeau Leap[4] - a touchdown celebration in which the scoring player leaps into the arms of awaiting fans in the stands near the end zone. On December 26, 1993, the Packers were playing the visiting Los Angeles Raiders. On a second-down swing pass to running back Randy Jordan, Butler forced a fumble that was recovered by Reggie White at the Raiders' 35. After running with the ball for 10 yards, White lateraled to Butler, who ran the remaining 25 yards into the end zone and then made a spontaneous leap into the arms of fans in the south bleachers. The Packers went on to win 28-0 to clinch what would be the first of six consecutive playoff berths. The move was later popularized by wide receiver Robert Brooks, who carried it a step further by leaping completely into the stands. This move is called the Lambeau Leap and now is used after many Packer touchdowns.
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