The Pittsburgh Steelers have lost a second former player in less than a week as it was reported on Saturday that Hall of Fame defensive back Jack Butler has died at the age of 85.
Butler, a Pittsburgh native and defensive back out of St. Bonaventure, signed originally with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 1951. During his rookie season, Butler intercepted five passes for 142 yards and in 1953, he had nine interceptions and returned two of them for touchdowns. In 1957, Butler had 10 interceptions and was named to his first of three All Pro teams.
Butler was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012 alongside former Steelers center Dermontti Dawson. He is second all-time in franchise history with 52 interceptions behind only Mel Blount.
During his career, Butler went to four Pro Bowls and was named to the Steelers All-Time Team. In October 2008, he was named as one of the 33 Greatest Pittsburgh Steelers of all-time.
“I loved the game,” Butler said before prior to his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. “I loved playing the game, I liked everything that went with it, the friends, everything, all the action. I liked the [fame], I liked it all. I enjoyed it. I would have done it forever if I could have.”
This past week, Butler\’s son Mike Butler was hired to be the Steelers BLESTO scout for the team.
