Everybody nonetheless desires to know why Invoice Belichick benched former Tremendous Bowl hero Malcom Butler throughout the Eagles-Patriots Tremendous Bowl in 2018 and the ex-cornerback remains to be being cryptic.
Butler, who was New England’s second-highest-rated cornerback that season in response to Professional Soccer Focus, denied being benched for partying within the lead-up to the Tremendous Bowl and known as his mysterious lack of taking part in time a “coach’s choice.”
He principally confirmed that everybody concerned agreed to not discuss the matter and dispelled a number of of the rumors whereas doing an interview on Tremendous Bowl 2025 radio Row with Mike Felger and Tony Massarotti.
“Man, it’s simply loyalty,” Butler informed 98.5 The Sports activities Hub when requested whether or not everybody agreed to not talk about it. “No one embarrassed no one. It’s what it’s. Respect. Honor.”
After the 2018 Tremendous Bowl, the place the Patriots allowed 41 factors and misplaced regardless of by no means punting, Belichick additionally known as sitting Butler a “teaching choice.”
Conspiracy theories have rolled round for years about what Butler might have probably performed to upset his coach to the purpose the place he was being benched regardless of taking part in each common season and postseason recreation previous to the largest recreation of the season.
And particularly after he turned a hero in New England for his game-winning interception in opposition to the Seahawks in Tremendous Bowl 2015.
One significantly weird rumors is that Butler received right into a wrestling match with assistant coach Steve Belichick — both getting damage or upset his head coach father.
“Wrestling match? That ain’t even a match,” Butler added, seemingly squashing that rumor.
One other concept floated that he missed curfew and basically earned a suspension for the Tremendous Bowl, which Butler additionally denied.
“No, I believe a hoop is extra necessary than a celebration. I can try this for the remainder of my life. Actually, I did final evening,” Butler stated. “We’re grown males. We do received a time to be at work and a time to not be messing off.”
Felger and Massarotti added that there have been some photos circulating of him partying that week however Butler denied that had something to do together with his benching.
Butler’s stance that nobody embarrassed anybody is somewhat weird, all issues thought of, as eight years later followers are nonetheless asking why he was benched and whether or not it price the Patriots a Tremendous Bowl ring.
Even his teammates felt robbed of the second, as former teammates informed reporters in “The Dynasty” documentary launched in 2024 that they felt cheated by the choice.
“‘I felt like I had put my physique, the whole lot on the road for this,’” an nameless participant stated. “And to not even get an evidence on the time as to why this choice was made, he says, ‘I really feel like we received cheated somewhat bit.’”
ESPN reporter Seth Wickersham printed in his 2021 e book that Butler was benched due to a screaming match he received into with defensive coordinator Matt Patricia in observe.
Butler gained two championships with the Patriots and completed his profession with the Titans in 2020 after signing a giant contract within the 2018 offseason.