[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2296]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING SUPER BOWL HERO MALCOLM BUTLER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 12, 2015

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
remarkably talented individual, Malcolm Butler, who is a native of 
Mississippi. Butler was born into a family of five children in 
Vicksburg, Mississippi. Mr. Butler is a prime example of learning from 
one's mistakes and taking advantage of being given a second chance.
  Despite only playing football at the cornerback position his freshman 
and senior years at Vicksburg High School, Butler was able to receive a 
scholarship from Hinds Community College after graduating in 2009. 
After some setbacks in his first season, Butler was dismissed from the 
team midseason. However, he did not let prior mistakes define him, and 
as he made major adjustments in his life, he was invited to rejoin the 
team.
  Butler went on to play at Division II University of West Alabama in 
2012, where he played exceptionally both seasons. His junior year, he 
started in all 12 games and recorded 49 tackles and 5 interceptions; 
the following year he had 45 tackles, 2 interceptions, and a blocked 
field goal. His seasons were so remarkable that he was named All-Gulf 
South Conference both years.
  Despite such success at West Alabama, Butler went undrafted. 
Fortunately, he was invited to attend a tryout for the New England 
Patriots to make their roster going into training camp. With odds that 
were not in his favor, Butler managed to be a standout player at that 
tryout, and he ultimately made the team.
  Butler had a solid season this year on the Patriots team, playing 52 
snaps on special teams and 182 on defense. Though he didn't play in the 
playoffs versus the Ravens and only 15 snaps against the Colts, Butler 
made a name for himself in this year's Super Bowl. After the Patriots 
struggled against Seahawks wide receiver Chris Matthews throughout the 
first half, the Patriots made adjustments and substituted Butler in the 
game.
  New England was able to contain Matthews, and they held the lead 24-
20 with two minutes left in the game. Butler came through in two 
crucial plays in the home stretch. In the first, after swatting the 
ball into the air, Butler manages to force receiver Jermaine Kearse out 
of bounds after Kearse caught it. Two plays later, Butler made a game-
winning interception, the first of his NFL career.
  Butler's example is proof that one's mistakes do not define him. His 
persistence, combined with his shrewd football acumen, has cemented his 
role in NFL history. Malcolm Butler is yet another example of 
Mississippi's tradition of producing fine athletes that are also 
honorable human beings.

                          ____________________