Bill Text: MS SC561 | 2015 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Salute New England Patriots Strong Safety and Vicksburg native Malcolm Butler for game-saving interception in Super Bowl XLIX.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 11-5)
Status: (Passed) 2015-02-18 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC561 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2015-SC561-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2015 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Hopson, Burton, Ward, Butler (38th), Carmichael, Chassaniol, Clarke, Fillingane, Frazier, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Kirby, Massey, Montgomery, Parker, Watson
Senate Concurrent Resolution 561
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION SALUTING AND CONGRATULATING NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS STRONG SAFETY AND VICKSBURG NATIVE MALCOLM BUTLER FOR HIS GAME-SAVING INTERCEPTION IN SUPER BOWL XLIX AT UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX STADIUM ON FEBRUARY 1, 2015.
WHEREAS, on the 32nd defensive snap by the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX, undrafted rookie cornerback and Vicksburg, Mississippi, native Malcolm Butler came on the field for the first time. He was part of a coaching adjustment that ultimately saved the team's heart-pounding, 28-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks; and
WHEREAS, not only was one of the heroes of Super Bowl XLIX a little-known player out of Hinds Community College and Division II West Alabama, but he also wasn't even part of the team's original Championship Game plan. That all changed after the opening drive of the third quarter, when the Patriots' coaching staff inserted Malcolm Butler into the game for Kyle Arrington. The nickelback was having trouble matching the size and length of 6-foot-5, 218-pound receiver Chris Matthews on vertical routes. In turning to the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Butler as their fifth defensive back in sub packages, they entrusted a player teammates call "Strap" or "Scrap," depending on whom you ask. Butler picked up the nickname after signing with the Patriots on May 19, after teammates noticed him putting the "straps" on receivers on the practice field. Running back Brandon Bolden said he came up with it, and some teammates turned it into "Scrap" because Butler was always scrapping for the ball. When Super Bowl XLIX was on the line, it was Butler's scrappy play, along with instincts and athleticism, that delivered a Championship to New England for the first time since the 2004 season; and
WHEREAS, in many ways, Malcolm Butler is the underdog story of all underdog stories, after playing at West Alabama, going undrafted and having only the Patriots offer him a tryout well after most 90-man rosters had been filled. Before that, he had played only two seasons at Vicksburg High School in Mississippi and then attended Hinds Community College, where he left as a freshman in 2009 and later found himself working a part-time job at Popeye's. What he learned then was how much he missed football, and when he was invited back to Hinds in 2011, he promised himself to never again take his opportunities for granted. That propelled him to West Alabama in 2012 and 2013, where he proved himself one of the best players in the Gulf Coast Conference. By the time he arrived in the NFL, it didn't take long for him to make an impression on his Patriots teammates with athleticism and explosiveness; and
WHEREAS, Butler played 18 defensive snaps in Super Bowl XLIX. "Unbelievable play," quarterback Tom Brady said. "I saw the interception and couldn't believe it"; and
WHEREAS, in addition to Malcolm Butler, there was lots of Mississippi flavor in Super Bowl XLIX. We call ourselves the Magnolia State. But where the Super Bowl matchup of Seattle and New England is concerned, Mississippi is the "Linebacker State." Jamie Collins, from McCall Creek, Franklin County High School and Southern Miss, is an athlete new England Coach Bill Belichick has compared to Lawrence Taylor. He leads the Patriots in tackles. Seattle outside linebacker K.J. Wright played at Olive Branch and Mississippi State. He heads the Seahawks in tackles and, like Collins, also excels in pass coverage. Mississippi has produced the two leading tacklers in the game. New England backup middle linebacker Chris White, the former C Spire Conerly Trophy winner, is from Vancleave and Mississippi State. The patriots offer more Mississippi connections: Collins and White, former Ole Miss running back Brandon Bolden and former East Mississippi CC running back LaGarrette Blount. The Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski is from Madison Central, and has played in the Super Bowl before. Linebacker Deontae Skinner of Macon is on the Pats' practice squads and Mississippi State and running back Stevan Ridley of Natchez is on injured reserve. Also on the Seahawks is D'Iberville's Kevin Norwood, a wide receiver who played his college ball at Alabama; and
WHEREAS, on football's biggest stage, Mississippian Malcolm Butler is the hero of Super Bowl XLIX:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby salute and congratulate New England Patriots strong safety and Vicksburg native Malcolm Butler for his game-saving interception in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015, and it is with great pride that we recognize this Mississippian as the hero of professional football's biggest event bringing honor to our state and extend our best wishes to Malcolm and his family for future success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Malcolm Butler, forwarded to the CEO of the New England Patriots Football Team, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
