Bill Butler (safety)
William R. Butler was an American professional football player who was a defensive back and halfback in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings. He played college football for the Chattanooga Mocs. He also played professionally for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Canadian Football League.
Background
Butler attended Berlin High School. He accepted a football scholarship from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.In 1988, he was inducted into the UTC Athletics Hall of Fame. He died on November 28, 2025, at the age of 88.
Professional career
Green Bay packers
Butler was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 19th round of the 1959 NFL draft. Although he was initially waived in training camp, he was re-signed after the team cut fellow rookie Tim Brown.He led the team in kickoff and punt returns. He returned a punt for a 61-yard touchdown in a 28–17 loss against the Chicago Bears.
Dallas Cowboys
Butler was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1960 NFL expansion draft and was moved to defense, becoming the first starting free safety in franchise history. He ranked second in the league in punt returns and also had 20 kickoff returns with a 19.1-yard average.On December 21, he was traded along with [Tackle (gridiron gridiron football|football position)|offensive tackle] Dick Klein to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for safety Dick Moegle.
Pittsburgh Steelers
In 1961, he had 3 interceptions, while playing 10 games as a backup safety. On April 7, 1962, he was traded to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a sixth round draft selection, completing a previous transaction.Minnesota Vikings
In 1962, he started 12 games at safety and posted 5 interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. He also led the team in kickoff and punt returns.In 1963, he repeated as the team leader in kickoff and punt returns. In 1964, for the third season in a row, he led the team in kickoff and punt returns.
Saskatchewan Roughriders
On August 20, 1965, Butler signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. He was a two-way player and appeared in 12 games. He registered 44 carries for 138 yards, 16 receptions for 139 yards, one touchdown and 9 kickoff returns for 206 yards. He announced his retirement the following year.Coaching career
In 1967, Butler was hired as an assistant football coach at Lakeland College—known now as Lakeland University—in Plymouth, Wisconsin, to serve under John Thome, head football coach.Butler lived in Berlin, Wisconsin, and was the defensive coordinator for the Ripon High School football team and an assistant track and field coach.