LeRoy Butler facts for kids
Butler at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee in 2005
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| No. 36 | |||||||||
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| Position: | Safety | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | July 19, 1968 Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 204 lb (93 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Robert E. Lee (Jacksonville) | ||||||||
| College: | Florida State (1986–1989) | ||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1990 / Round: 2 / Pick: 48 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||
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Pro Football Hall of Fame
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LeRoy Butler III (born July 19, 1968) is a famous American former football player. He played his entire 12-year career as a safety for the Green Bay Packers. He played from 1990 to 2001 in the National Football League (NFL).
LeRoy Butler was chosen for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2022. This is a very special honor for football players. He is also known for creating the "Lambeau Leap" touchdown celebration.
Butler was born in Jacksonville, Florida. When he was a child, he faced physical challenges. He sometimes had to wear leg braces or use a wheelchair. But he worked hard to overcome these difficulties. He became a great high school football player.
He was even named one of the best Florida High School football players ever in 2007. After high school, he played college football for the Florida State Seminoles. The Packers then picked him in the 1990 NFL draft.
During his time with the Packers, Butler was chosen as a first-team All-Pro four times. He helped the Packers win Super Bowl XXXI. He was also named to the National Football League 1990s All-Decade Team. This means he was one of the best players of the 1990s.
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Early Life and High School Football
LeRoy Butler grew up in Jacksonville, Florida. He went to Robert E. Lee High School. There, he played football for Coach Corky Rogers. Coach Rogers was a very successful high school football coach in Florida.
He coached at Robert E. Lee High School for many years. He also coached another NFL star, Edgar Bennett, at the same school. Butler was an amazing player for his high school team.
College Football Career
After high school, Butler played college football at Florida State University. His coach was Bobby Bowden. Butler was a starter for three years. He made 194 tackles and caught 9 interceptions.
Fans especially remember him for a play called the "puntrooskie" in 1988. In a tied game against Clemson, Florida State was deep in their own territory. Coach Bowden called a fake punt. The ball went to Butler, who ran 78 yards. This set up the game-winning field goal.
Professional Football Career
The Green Bay Packers chose LeRoy Butler in the second round of the 1990 NFL draft. He was the 48th player picked overall. He was one of the top safeties chosen that year.
Butler played in 181 games for the Packers. He won a Super Bowl ring in Super Bowl XXXI after the 1996 season. He was chosen as an All-Pro four times. He also played in the Pro Bowl four times (in 1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998).
He was named to the NFL All-Decade Team for the 1990s. This means he was one of the best players of that time. In 2007, he was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.
During his 12 years with the Packers, Butler had impressive stats. He made 953 tackles. He also caught 38 interceptions and had 20.5 sacks. He was the first defensive back in NFL history to have both 20 sacks and 20 interceptions. This is a rare achievement.
In 2001, Butler hurt his shoulder. This injury forced him to retire from football before the 2002 season. His shoulder did not heal properly. In 2007, he was honored by being inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.
In 2022, LeRoy Butler was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This is the highest honor a football player can receive. It means he is one of the greatest players of all time.
The Lambeau Leap Celebration
LeRoy Butler is famous for inventing the "Lambeau Leap". This is a special way players celebrate a touchdown. The player leaps into the stands to be caught by cheering fans. It happens at Lambeau Field, the Packers' home stadium.
The first Lambeau Leap happened on December 26, 1993. The Packers were playing the Los Angeles Raiders. Butler forced a fumble, and Reggie White recovered the ball. White then lateraled the ball to Butler. Butler ran into the end zone for a touchdown.
After scoring, Butler spontaneously jumped into the arms of fans. The Packers won that game 28–0. The "Lambeau Leap" became very popular. Other players, like Robert Brooks, helped make it famous. Now, it's a tradition after most Packers touchdowns at Lambeau Field.
