Green Bay Packers legend LeRoy Butler has had plenty to celebrate this year. First, Butler was finally voted for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Then, Butler and Brewers legend Robin Yount released a new adult beverage called Leap’n Lemonade. Today, Butler, who invented the Lambeau Leap, celebrates his 54th birthday.
Related: LeRoy Butler’s Hall of Fame locker at Canton is revealed
LeRoy Butler’s Early Life
LeRoy Butler’s Hall of Fame career is nothing short of a miracle. As a child in Jacksonville, Florida, Butler faced physical limitations in his legs. He had to wear leg braces and sometimes had to use a wheelchair while undergoing therapy. However, his own hard work and determination, along with the support of his family, helped him overcome these challenges.
In high school, Butler played for Corky Rogers, the winningest high school football coach in Florida’s history. One little-known fact about Butler’s high school playing days is that he was teammates with one of his future Green Bay Packers’ teammates. Edgar Bennett also played for Rogers at Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville.
Bennett is now the wide receivers coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.
LeRoy Butler at Florida State University
Bobby Bowden was able to recruit LeRoy Butler to play for him at Florida State University. During his time at FSU, Butler became well-known for his role in a trick play known as the “puntrooskie.”
Instead of a punt, Dayne Williams hand the ball to Butler who ran for 78-yards and set up the game-winning field goal.
A three-year starter, Butler amassed 194 tackles and nine interceptions for the Seminoles. In his junior season, Butler had seven interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.
Becoming a Green Bay Packers Legend
The Green Bay Packers drafted LeRoy Butler with the 48th overall pick (second round) of the 1990 NFL Draft. Throughout his career, Butler was known as one of the hardest hitting defenders in the NFL. He was a four-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler. Butler also became the first NFL player ever to register 20 career interceptions and 20 career sacks.
Of course, Butler is best remembered for inventing the most famous touchdown celebration in NFL history: the Lambeau Leap.
#TBT – Reggie White laterals it to LeRoy Butler who then does the first ever Lambeau Leap. 👏👀🧀 @leap36 • #GoPackGo
— GBP Daily (@GBPdaily) November 15, 2019
LeRoy Butler will be enshrined in the Hall of Fame on August 6.
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