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Malcolm Butler's Super Bowl Bench Shocks Fans and Teammates

2/7/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Malcolm Butler, a player for the New England Patriots, did not play a single snap in Super Bowl LII against Philadelphia Eagles.
The benching sparked confusion about disciplinary reasons, though head coach Bill Belichick described it as a coaching decision.
Teammates including Tom Brady and Devin McCourty expressed support for Butler.
Butler stated he could have changed the outcome.
Butler left the Patriots in 2018 and remains celebrated by fans.

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Story summary

Malcolm Butler, a player for the New England Patriots, did not play a single snap in Super Bowl LII against Philadelphia Eagles.
The benching sparked confusion about disciplinary reasons, though head coach Bill Belichick described it as a coaching decision.
Teammates including Tom Brady and Devin McCourty expressed support for Butler.
Butler stated he could have changed the outcome.
Butler left the Patriots in 2018 and remains celebrated by fans.