Lady Steel
01-24-2015, 11:13 PM
By the time the Seattle Seahawks drafted linebacker Dave Wyman in the second round in 1987, Keith Butler was in his 10th and final season of playing outside linebacker with the team. In that time, Butler had established himself as a master of his craft, a player who could dissect an offense’s intention an instant after seeing its formation and disrupt a play with his guile.
But Butler was more than just a player who would become the Seahawks’ all-time leader in tackles when he retired. He was leader, mentor and faith-healer, a player who instructed rookies on the field through a thick southern accent and recited Bible verses to his teammates at his house.
“I remember he said to me, ‘Boy, you were drafted to replace me, so you might as well learn the game from me,’ ” Wyman said. “So I would stand next to him whenever I could. That’s where I learned to play football — from Keith Butler. He was the first one to make me aware of what an offense is trying to do to you.”
Wyman was just the first of many NFL linebackers who learned how to play their position from Butler. Many others were to follow, including Joey Porter, James Harrison, Larry Foote, LaMarr Woodley and Lawrence Timmons.
Now Butler, 58, has a new job: Trying to restore the Steelers defense to the dizzying level established by his predecessor, the legendary Dick LeBeau. After 12 seasons as the team’s linebackers coach, Butler has been promoted to defensive coordinator — a job for which he patiently bided his time.
Those who have known him longest have no doubt he will succeed.
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2015/01/25/Defensive-coordinator-Butler-taught-intricacies-to-many-now-gets-chance-to-do-more/stories/201501250182
But Butler was more than just a player who would become the Seahawks’ all-time leader in tackles when he retired. He was leader, mentor and faith-healer, a player who instructed rookies on the field through a thick southern accent and recited Bible verses to his teammates at his house.
“I remember he said to me, ‘Boy, you were drafted to replace me, so you might as well learn the game from me,’ ” Wyman said. “So I would stand next to him whenever I could. That’s where I learned to play football — from Keith Butler. He was the first one to make me aware of what an offense is trying to do to you.”
Wyman was just the first of many NFL linebackers who learned how to play their position from Butler. Many others were to follow, including Joey Porter, James Harrison, Larry Foote, LaMarr Woodley and Lawrence Timmons.
Now Butler, 58, has a new job: Trying to restore the Steelers defense to the dizzying level established by his predecessor, the legendary Dick LeBeau. After 12 seasons as the team’s linebackers coach, Butler has been promoted to defensive coordinator — a job for which he patiently bided his time.
Those who have known him longest have no doubt he will succeed.
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2015/01/25/Defensive-coordinator-Butler-taught-intricacies-to-many-now-gets-chance-to-do-more/stories/201501250182