Jack Butler

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Butler was an undrafted free agent whom the Pittsburgh Steelers brought onto their roster in 1951 based on a recommendation that Art Rooney Sr. received from his brother Silas Rooney, who was a priest serving as athletic director at St. Bonaventure University. Butler would become a defensive back and occasional wide receiver for the Steelers. As a rookie, Butler intercepted five passes for 142 yards. In 1953, he had nine interceptions and returned two of them for touchdowns. Four interceptions came in a game against the Washington Redskins on December 13, 1953. One of the interceptions resulted in a 35-yard return for a touchdown to win the game for the Steelers 14–13. The following year Butler set a record with two interception returns for touchdowns. In 1957, he led the league in interceptions with a career-best 10. Offensively, Butler scored a touchdown against the New York Giants. It was late in the game and Butler had caught the game-winning touchdown pass from Jim Finks. In 1958, Butler added nine more interceptions. During the 1959 season after garnering two interceptions, Butler was forced to retire due to a leg injury he received when tight end Pete Retzlaff of the Philadelphia Eagles rolled into Butler's knee. Butler never made more than around $12,000 as a player with the Steelers. Following his playing career, Butler spent 46 years with the BLESTO Scouting Combine (44 as its director). During this time, his contributions to the NFL included scouting and evaluating over 75,000 college athletes and starting the Combine scouting process that is still in use today. Butler was named to four straight Pro Bowls from 1955 to 1958. He had 52 interceptions during his career and 865 yards. At the time of his retirement in 1959, Jack tied for first with Safety Bobby Dillon in career interceptions, garnering 52 in his 9-year career. In 2004, he was named to the Professional Football Researchers Association Hall of Very Good in the association's second HOVG class. In October 2008, Butler was named as one of the 33 Greatest Pittsburgh Steelers of all time. The Steelers named players to this team as part of their 75th anniversary season celebration. He was named to the National Football League 1950s All-Decade Team. In the decade of the 1950s, Butler was tied for the 2nd most interceptions with Bobby Dillon. He was named as a senior nominee for the Pro Football

In Their Own Story

The 1953 season was a turning point. On December 13, against the Washington Redskins, Butler intercepted four passes. One of them—a 35-yard return for a touchdown—won the game for the Steelers 14–13. It was the kind of performance that defined his career: a defensive back who could change a game in an instant. In 1957, he led the league with 10 interceptions. But his career ended abruptly in 1959 when Philadelphia Eagles tight end Pete Retzlaff rolled into Butler's knee, forcing him to retire due to a leg injury. After playing, Butler spent 46 years with the BLESTO Scouting Combine (44 as its director), scouting and evaluating over 75,000 college athletes and starting the Combine scouting process still in use today. He was named to the National Football League 1950s All-Decade Team and, in the decade of the 1950s, tied for the 2nd most interceptions with Bobby Dillon. In 2012, he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a senior nominee.

Reader's Guide

Butler died at UPMC Shadyside in Pittsburgh on May 11, 2013. He was admitted for a staph infection around his artificial knee, a problem that almost killed him in 1959 and recurred every five to seven years since.

Did You Know?

• Butler was an undrafted free agent who joined the Steelers in 1951 after a recommendation from a priest.
• He once intercepted four passes in a single game against the Washington Redskins in 1953.
• Butler spent 46 years with the BLESTO Scouting Combine, 44 as its director.
• He was named to four straight Pro Bowls from 1955 to 1958.