Malcolm Butler’s Super Bowl benching was a surprise to everybody not within the Patriots’ organization — but everybody on the inside knew it was coming.
That’s what Butler’s teammate Devin McCourty told NJ Advance Media, saying rumors he was benched for disciplinary reasons simply weren’t true. “As far as I know, all of that is the furthest thing from the truth,” McCourty said. “We all knew he wasn’t starting all week. That wasn’t a secret to the guys on the team.
“I get why people are fishing. The guy played 98 percent of the plays. I just hate that for him character-wise going into free agency. It’s just not true. As far as I know — and I was there all week — not one time did anything come up.”
After the game, Butler initially had a strong reaction to the benching. “They gave up on me. Fuck. It is what it is,” Butler told ESPN afterward. He added, “I could’ve changed that game.”
He would later give a more tame response, via ESPN’s Mike Reiss, saying, “It was a coach’s decision. I was just doing my job and supporting my teammates. I have nothing but great things to say about the organization. They gave me an opportunity. That’s about it.”
Coach Bill Belichick, just as McCourty did, said Butler’s benching wasn’t for disciplinary reasons. Butler was also reported to have been battling an illness during the week.
After Brandon Browner and others came to the defense of Butler, Butler posted a statement on his Twitter and Instagram thanking Robert Kraft and the Patriots’ coaches for his four years in New England:
— Malcolm CB Butler (@Mac_BZ) February 6, 2018
Since then, there hasn’t been much of anything on Butler’s benching, until McCourty’s comments which came at a Rutgers-based fundraiser for Tackle Sickle Cell. The charity was founded by McCourty and his brother Jason.
McCourty also reiterated he just wanted to clear the air as Butler heads for free agency. “Great teammate,” he said. “It’s cool for me to see. He came in as an undrafted rookie in 2014 and didn’t know a thing about playing in the NFL or life as a NFL player. He’s grown so much.”
McCourty added that no matter what decision Butler makes, he’ll be happy for him.
“If he decides it’s hard to come back after that, anywhere he goes, the guy is a great football player and probably one of the most competitive people I’ve been around. With all my guys, we’re teammates and friends for life.”