Patriots welcome Malcolm Butler back to Gillette Stadium as ‘Keeper of the Light’ against the Seahawks
The former cornerback made one of the most memorable plays in Super Bowl history with his goal-line interception in the final moments.
As the Patriots prepare to welcome the Seahawks to Gillette Stadium for the weekend’s home opener, the team is also welcoming back someone Seattle would rather not see on Sunday: Super Bowl XLIX hero Malcolm Butler.
The former Patriots cornerback, who made one of the most memorable plays in Super Bowl history with his goal-line interception in the final moments, will ring the bell atop the Gillette Stadium lighthouse as the team’s “Keeper of the Light” for the opener.
The tradition began with Tom Brady, who was the first person to ring the bell last season as he was honored before New England’s home opener against the Eagles.
“It’s an honor to come back and celebrate with my teammates and the fans who have supported us throughout the years,” Butler said in a release. “That game was a defining moment in all of our careers, and it’s something we will never forget.”
All players from the title-winning 2014 team were invited to attend, and the Patriots announced that more than half of that squad will be in attendance Sunday.
An undrafted free agent in 2014, Butler played his first four seasons in New England before departing after a controversial benching in Super Bowl LII against the Eagles in 2018. He spent three seasons with the Titans, missed the 2021 season, and rejoined the Patriots in 2022. He was released with an injury settlement at the end of training camp that summer and eventually announced his retirement earlier this year.
Butler was a Pro Bowler in 2015 and a second team All-Pro in 2016.
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