James Butler (American football)

Infobox NFLactive


name=James Butler
currentteam=New York Giants
currentnumber=37
currentpositionplain=Safety
birthdate=birth date and age|1982|9|7
birthplace=Climax, Georgia
heightft=6
heightin=3
weight=215
debutyear=2005
debutteam=New York Giants
college=Georgia Tech
undraftedyear=2005
pastteams=
* New York Giants (2005-present)
status=Active
highlights=
* Super Bowl champion (XLII)
nfl=BUT259550

James Oscar Butler, Jr. (born September 7, 1982 in Climax, Georgia) is an American football safety for the New York Giants in the National Football League. He was signed by the Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Georgia Tech.

Butler earned a Super Bowl ring with the Giants in Super Bowl XLII.

College career

Butler was an American football free safety at Georgia Tech from 2001 to 2004. He was undrafted despite his highly decorated collegiate career. While at Georgia Tech, he majored in Building Construction. James, in four years, totaled 204 tackles, seven interceptions, 10 pass breakups, four forced fumbles and blocked two field goals in his final two years as a starter at Georgia Tech, recorded 240 tackles in his career with the Yellow Jackets, was a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back as a senior in 2004, when he was named first-team All-ACC for the second straight season, was second on the team with 85 tackles along with two interceptions, four pass breakups, a forced fumble and a blocked field goal, was also named to the ACC All-Academic team for the second straight year. The most notable performance of Butler's career was in 2004 when Georgia Tech's defense held Maryland to only 81 yards of total offense.

Professional career

New York Giants

James Butler saw action in 16 games during his rookie season in which he accumulated 1 start, plus the NFC Wild Card Game, tied for 2nd on the team with 21 special teams tackles (19 solo). Recorded 18 tackles (14 solo), 2 interceptions, 5 passes defensed and 1 fumble recovery in play in dime packages. In Butler's third season, the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. Butler led the Super Bowl victors with 10 total tackles in the game.

Personal

Butler was in an automobile accident just outside his hometown of Climax, Georgia on Thursday, May 8, 2008. He was traveling south on the highway in his Jeep Liberty when another motorist pulled out at an intersection in Butler's path. Butler ran into the side of the truck with his SUV, causing major damage to both vehicles. The other driver complained of extensive bruising to his side, but was not severely injured. Butler was treated by EMS personnel at the scene and released.

External links

* [http://ramblinwreck.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/butler_james00.html Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets bio]
* [http://www.giants.com/team/player138.html New York Giants bio]