FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler is not a man of many words.
Butler has a quiet demeanor and likes to keep to himself, unless he is enjoying being around his teammates. And it’s understandable for Butler to want to silence his past as he has had a bumpy ride to the NFL.
During his time at Hinds Community College, Butler was kicked off the football team. He took a part-time job at a Popeyes, an experience that he told the Providence Journal was “life-changing."
That opened Butler’s eyes to how difficult it is to make something of himself and just how much harder he was going to have to work at it. Butler returned to Hinds Community College and then landed at the University of West Alabama, a Division II football program, where he took advantage of every opportunity he could get.
After two first-team All-GSC selections at cornerback and being named a Division II All-American, Butler knew he had earned his place and a chance at the NFL, something he always hoped for.
No team drafted him and the phones weren’t ringing off the hook, but then the Patriots gave him a shot.
“There was no turning around,” Butler said. “Just had to drop all the cookies in the jar and just go from there.”
Butler turned heads throughout the offseason and landed a 53-man roster spot, the only undrafted rookie to initially make the team in 2014. He's played in eight games this season, with his primary contributions coming on special teams and as a depth-based option in sub packages.
After a tough road to where he is now, Butler reluctantly shared his “football journey” for our weekly feature.
When he first started playing football: “Seventh to eighth grade is when I first started playing and I started taking it serious in ninth grade. But then I took a break and played my last year – senior year.”
First positions: “Safety. Running back. Receiver. Cornerback.”
Favorite players: “Michael Vick. Deion Sanders. I liked Dante Hall, the [Kansas City Chiefs] returner.”
Favorite team: “The Falcons and the Eagles just because I wanted to follow Michael Vick.”
Role models: “Anyone who is successful in pro sports, like in the NFL. If you were in the NFL, I looked up to you.”
Favorite football memory at Vicksburg High School: “I had broken a 70-yard reverse on the No. 1 team in the state in high school.”
Time at Hinds Junior College: “All the hard work and the teammates, all of the bonds that we had, and we brought a winning season in before I left. I just miss the junior college life overall.”
Why he chose West Alabama: “I was supposed to stay another semester to finish up and go to a Division I [program]. I just felt that I wanted to take another step in life and move forward, so I just chose to take Division II because I just thought I always had a chance of getting here no matter where I went.”
On being the team barber at West Alabama: “I just used to cut and guys wouldn’t want to go to a barber shop, so I would just cut them up real fast. No [signature styles]; I just cut.”
The opportunity of camp with the Patriots: “Blessed. And I knew I had to take advantage of it every day. Just working hard, studying, getting in the film room, learning the system and enjoying it at the same time.
People turning heads as he made plays at camp: “I just stuffed it in the back of my head and acted like I did nothing and just kept going like I never did anything. It couldn’t do anything but make it better. Just stayed humble and worked hard every day no matter what came out of each day … I just had to nail it down all the way to end. I think I had [some plays] here and there but I just tried to blank it out and stay focused until the whole thing was over.”
Making the team: “I just cherished the moment and I worked hard. I really wanted to be here and this is the only team that called me and I just had to take advantage of it."
On if he ever doubted that he would make the team: “If you don’t have doubts, there’s something wrong with you. Yeah, I had a few. That’s what made me keep going.”
On playing in regular-season games: “I just worked hard and prepared and have been ready whenever my name is called.”
Playing with swagger: “I mean, it’s just me. I guess [the swagger] is going to come with me because it’s me. I just let my play do [the talking]. I talk to myself when I make a play. I think my teammates [feed off the energy] because I do the same for them.”
If anyone has taken him under their wing: “Everybody. It’s a [cool feeling].”
His mentality on the field: “Just go out and play through my job and just try to out-compete my opponent.”
Summing up his football journey: “Tough and mentally strong. I always thought that I could get here, but you’re not going to believe it until you are here. So I guess I did believe [he would make it].”