Even the man who saved Super Bowl XLIX for the New England Patriots didn’t have high hopes for his squad in the game’s final seconds.
Cornerback Malcolm Butler has become a Patriots folk hero after his amazing interception of Russell Wilson at the 1-yard line clinched a 28-24 win over the Seattle Seahawks. If Butler hadn’t made that play, it seemed all but certain Seattle would punch in the game-winning score.
In an appearance on NFL Network’s “Total Access” on Thursday, even Butler admitted he wasn’t feeling too good about his team’s chances as time wound down.
“I gave my best effort. You can’t be mad at yourself with your best effort,” Butler said when asked to describe his thought process after Marshawn Lynch ran the ball down to the 1-yard line, via WEEI.com. “Yeah (I thought the game was over). Most definitely, just like everybody else.”
Butler, of course, watched Lynch’s run on the sideline and didn’t re-enter the game until the Patriots’ coaching staff called for a three-cornerback package before the final play. The undrafted rookie admitted he was expecting another Lynch run before his interception, but he was prepared to sell out on the pass if needed.
“I just said ‘If I’m wrong, I’m wrong; they’re on the 1-yard line, they’re going to run it anyway,'” Butler said. “‘But if they pass it, I’m going to be on it.'”
He certainly was on it, jumping the route of Seahawks receiver Ricardo Lockette to make an incredible play that vaulted him to national fame.
Well, almost. Butler stuck around NFL Network headquarters and took to the street to interview unsuspecting fans. As you might expect, most had no clue who he was.
Thumbnail photo via Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports Images
