Super Bowl Hero Malcolm Butler Trying Out For Patriots' Comeback

FOXBOROUGH, MA — Super Bowl hero-turned-snub Malcolm Butler is attempting an NFL comeback in perhaps the most unlikeliest of places: Gillette Stadium.

The Patriots hosted their former cornerback for a workout Monday, The Boston Globe's Ben Volin reported.

For New England, it shows how they're trying to shore up their secondary after losing star J.C. Jackson to the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency.

For Butler, it shows how willing the 32-year-old is to return to professional football.

Butler, of course, is best known for intercepting Russell Wilson at the goal line to steal Super Bowl XLIX from the Seattle Seahawks. The play sparked a dramatic turn in the undrafted rookie's career, as he became New England's top cornerback, winning two championships with the team.

It perhaps could have been three championships, but coach Bill Belichick benched Butler in Super Bowl LII against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Patriots defense was shredded that night without its No. 1 cornerback, and the Patriots nor Butler have ever publicly shared the reason behind the benching.

A book published last fall by ESPN's Seth Wickersham said Butler and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia got into a heated argument at practice over what was said to be Butler's lack of effort. The star cornerback was demoted, reportedly cursing out his coaches to his teammates in the locker room after the game.

Butler bolted New England for a large contract in Tennessee that offseason. He retired last August due to personal reasons, but had a strong 2020.