Highlighted Year: LeRoy Butler, 1993

Safety, Green Bay Packers

Age: 25

4^th season in pro football & with Packers

College: Florida State

Height: 6’0”   Weight: 200

Prelude:

Butler overcame a childhood foot condition that had him in a wheelchair and wearing leg braces until he was eight. He first gained notoriety in college for his role in the 1988 “puntrooskie” trick play against Clemson in which he ran 76 yards out of punt formation to set up a game-winning field goal. As a senior, he moved from free safety to cornerback upon the departure of Deion Sanders and intercepted seven passes. Butler was a multiple first-team All-American and was chosen by the Packers in the second round of the 1990 NFL draft. After a rookie year as a nickel back who displayed aggressiveness if not always successful in coverage, Butler moved into the starting lineup at cornerback in ’91 and was shifted to strong safety in 1992, accounting for 74 tackles and an interception.

1993 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions – 6 [7, tied with six others]

Most interceptions, game – 1 on six occasions

Int. return yards – 131 [4]

Most int. return yards, game – 39 (on 1 int.) at San Diego 12/12

Int. TDs – 0

Sacks – 1

Fumble recoveries – 1

Fumble recovery TDs – 1

Forced fumbles – 2

Tackles – 90

Scoring

TDs – 1

Points – 6

Postseason: 2 G

Interceptions – 1

Sacks – 1

Fumble recoveries – 1

TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-NFL:  AP, PFWA, Sporting News

1^st team All-NFC: UPI, Pro Football Weekly

Pro Bowl

Packers went 9-7 to finish third in the NFC Central and qualified for the postseason as a Wild Card while ranking second in the NFL in fewest yards allowed (4482). Won NFC Wild Card playoff over Detroit Lions (28-24). Lost NFC Divisional playoff to Dallas Cowboys (27-17).  

Aftermath:

Butler was weakened by a bout with pneumonia in 1994 but remained a solid performer and leader in the defensive backfield. He returned to being a consensus first-team All-NFL selection for three straight years from 1996 to ’98, as well as gaining Pro Bowl recognition. He had a 90-yard interception return and accumulated a career-high 6.5 sacks in ’96 and the Packers won NFC titles in 1996 and ’97, winning the Super Bowl following the ’96 season. Butler played until 2001 and, in a twelve-year career played entirely with Green Bay, intercepted 38 passes, registered 20.5 sacks, and accounted for over 700 tackles. He was a consensus first-team All-NFL and Pro Bowl choice four times. Butler also originated the “Lambeau Leap” touchdown celebration.

--

Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating

Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970