Made for Seattle

by abender20 on May 1, 2009 9:21 AM PDT in Seahawks News & Rumors

Over the last few days we've taken a look at Aaron Curry, Nick Reed, and Mike Teel. Because I can hear everyone clamoring to find out a little about Deon Butler, I suppose I'll allow it.

One day during the fall of his freshman year at Hylton High School, Deon Butler came home and told his father he was done with football.

He'd show up for practice, receive good feedback and then, come game time, watch from the sidelines. He was tired of not playing and he was tired of hearing he was too small.

You see, children, the problem was that Deon Butler was short. Because Virginians are notoriously bigoted towards the vertically challenged, Butler found himself an outsider, peering in with aid from a milk crate. Despite his superior speed, quickness, and willingness to learn, little Deon Butler was an afterthought. During games of Keep Away, Butler always found himself in the middle, endlessly flailing at balls out of his reach. The bullies called him Deon the Peon, as height is the determinant in the Virgina feudal system. Rather than move to an agility-based state like South Dakota where Deon would have easily been aristocracy, Deon's father verbally inspired his son.

"I told him, 'My kids are not quitters.' That's not the answer," Vernon Butler said. "If you start it, you finish it."

The rest is straight out of Tim Ruskell's Bedtime Stories: Little Timmy Teaches Hustle and Determination.

He applied that life lesson in college, when, after receiving just one Division I offer that was later rescinded, he walked on to Penn State, earned a scholarship and finished his career as the Nittany Lions' all-time leader in receptions.

...and all was right in the world. Butler had a nice college career at a very successful school. His stats were deflated by the combination of a run-based offense and Michael Robinson. 5'10" is not outrageously short. Steve Smith, Wes Welker, and Deion Branch are 5'9". Santana Moss, Eddie Royal, and Lee Evans are 5'10". Greg Jennings is 5'11" (he would have been the King of Virginia).

Butler was drafted to the perfect team: everyone is undersized, the receivers have significant injury histories, and the name Bobby Engram has cachet. Now go forth and run perfect routes.

Tweet Comment 53 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

As a short guy, I like stories like this,

but I mean c’mon, he wasn’t getting playing time as a freshman? Unless it was JV (and even if it was) he doesn’t really have anything to complain about. Couldn’t he have played cornerback?
I still believe Nate Robinson would be on his 3rd pro bowl right now with the Hawks if he had stuck with football. Who’s with me?

McCoy McCoy 2010, also acceptable, Russell Okung, Ndamukong Suh, Dez Bryant, Ciron Black, Trent Williams, and Bryan Baluga.

by LantermanC on May 1, 2009 9:49 AM PDT reply actions

I agree, this is a really nice story.

Kid almost quits, but then chooses to play and becomes PSU’s all-time leader in receptions. If your short, speed better be a part of your game, and running a 4.38 certainly doesn’t mean you are slow. Can’t wait to see this guy on the field.

by Pessimistic Optimist on May 1, 2009 10:24 AM PDT up reply actions

Nice screen name. Reminds me of sometihng...

Welcome to Field Gulls.

Also, Nate Robinson was awesome as a CB, no matter the size.

"Hey, guess what? Nobody cares who would win in a crazy fantasy fist-fight between Anne Frank and Lizzie Borden." The Monarch

by crushedoptimist on May 1, 2009 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions

Thanks.

I have been lurking for quite some time but never made an account.

by Pessimistic Optimist on May 1, 2009 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Join the club.

It took me at least a year and a half before I got the willpower to finally register.

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on May 1, 2009 4:43 PM PDT up reply actions

For me, it was closer to 2 and a half.

Yikes. I’ve been lurking since 2006.

Sam Bradford, future Seattle Seahawk.

by Carl Shinyama on May 1, 2009 5:16 PM PDT up reply actions

What? Why?

You seem to love commenting as much as I do.

McCoy McCoy 2010, also acceptable, Russell Okung, Ndamukong Suh, Dez Bryant, Ciron Black, Trent Williams, and Bryan Baluga.

by LantermanC on May 1, 2009 7:31 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm frightfully lazy, I suppose.

Actually, I’m not sure. It was always on those perennial to-do things in the back of my mind, but seeing as it wasn’t a terrible priority I always ended up forgetting or doing something else.

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on May 1, 2009 7:55 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree

He doesn’t play his freshman season and then almost quits? I do not find that uplifting.

by John Morgan on May 1, 2009 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions

Though it does show some enormous amount of self-confidence to try and walk on at Penn State.

If football really mattered to me, I would have tried to walk on at slightly less reputable football school.

McCoy McCoy 2010, also acceptable, Russell Okung, Ndamukong Suh, Dez Bryant, Ciron Black, Trent Williams, and Bryan Baluga.

by LantermanC on May 1, 2009 11:16 AM PDT up reply actions

Walking on isn't entirely as mysterious as it sounds.

While the name leads you to believe that the player enrolled in the school and then just showed up to practice and fought their way onto the team using kung fu and guile, players frequently are told they will have a spot on the team, just no scholarship.

For instance, one of my friends at school walked on as a freshman. As a 5’9" corner, he never saw the field as a freshman. The staff told him that he’d eventually be able to get a scholarship if he earned it, and he did just that. He was also a Chemical Engineer and managed to get 3 years of his degree paid for. What a monster.

by abender20 on May 1, 2009 11:38 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Did he see the field eventually?

Because Crabtree didn’t see the field as a freshman either.

And I take it you mean that they said go ahead and walk on and if a scholarship opens up and you do well we will give it to you?

McCoy McCoy 2010, also acceptable, Russell Okung, Ndamukong Suh, Dez Bryant, Ciron Black, Trent Williams, and Bryan Baluga.

by LantermanC on May 1, 2009 11:44 AM PDT up reply actions

He never started a game, but played special teams and was an injury or two from playing more.

It doesn’t matter for him, as he’s now off getting a PhD.

Exactly. He knew was going to be playing football for Northwestern, he just wasn’t assured of a scholarship from the start.

by abender20 on May 1, 2009 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions

Cool, that's the way to go. 40k/year off your student loans and playing for a sweet team.

They kind of do this even for D3 cross country. No athletic scholarships obviously , but side scholarships for academics and whatever else scholarships are offered for. Not for me obviously, I suck at running, but for my stud runner friends who ran close to Olympic qualifying times by the end of their senior years.

McCoy McCoy 2010, also acceptable, Russell Okung, Ndamukong Suh, Dez Bryant, Ciron Black, Trent Williams, and Bryan Baluga.

by LantermanC on May 1, 2009 12:00 PM PDT up reply actions

This is one of the reasons D3 is often broken

What with some schools offering “academic” scholarships to their athletes and other schools playing it straight.

Sorry, I’m slightly bitter

by Ezzra on May 1, 2009 12:16 PM PDT up reply actions

That was his freshman year in High School

you never had moments in high school where you got all melodramatic and huffy and said a bunch of stupid shit you didn’t even mean? This is high school were talking about here, he was what, 14 or 15? blarrrg.

by B.B.Finnegan on May 1, 2009 9:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Sure yes

I just think the story was attempting to paint a picture of perseverance and in that regard is a bit lacking.

by John Morgan on May 2, 2009 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions

Fantastic Post!

I especially enjoyed the “peering in with aid from a milk crate” line. My subsequent giggling had coworkers wondering what all the hubbub was in my cubicle. I really needed that laugh, too… being at work during a beautiful day like today, and all.

On a more serious note, i think Butler has some amazing potential. And, while the Bobby Engram analogy has been completely run into the ground, it definitely has merit. I’d like to see Darius Butler and Josh Wilson in a footrace. [I’m sure one of you number crunchers here has Wilson’s combine stats laying around someplace.] Although, maybe Wilson is more quick and agile as opposed to being a total burner.

Butler’s 40 numbers at the combine were in the 4.3 range, (i think) however, i seem to remember Ruskell supposedly clocked this guy in the 4.2’s on his own stopwatch at some point, which apparently… no one had even ever seen before.

Any one have the details to this story? (Regardless of his actual numbers, though, if he runs anywhere within that range, good god, let’s just get the man on the field in ANY capacity.)

by Grimm Blackwood on May 1, 2009 12:00 PM PDT reply actions

I'd trust electronic timing over a 50-something year old man with a stopwatch.

Wilson reportedly ran a 4.25 at one point in college, but was in the low 4.3 range at the combine.

by abender20 on May 1, 2009 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, that would be like having a bunch of guys on the track at the olympic 100 finals.

Bolt 9.37!

McCoy McCoy 2010, also acceptable, Russell Okung, Ndamukong Suh, Dez Bryant, Ciron Black, Trent Williams, and Bryan Baluga.

by LantermanC on May 1, 2009 12:29 PM PDT up reply actions

Thanks!

Ha! Good point about the stopwatch for sure. Ruskell and crew could have easily been a 1/10 sec off timing him manually.

But, …if this guy can REALLY hit the 4.2’s, can really run his routes as well as they say he can at those speeds (and with fluid, yet grounded hips), AND has the hands he’s touted to have…

This guy is a total steal in the 3rd round (even factoring in his size [or lack thereof.]) After watching some highlights of this young man, i’m ALMOST as excited about him as i am about drafting Aaron Curry. [Ok, nowhere near THAT excited, but pretty excited none the less.]

Opinions?

by Grimm Blackwood on May 1, 2009 12:31 PM PDT up reply actions

I like him alot,

But I have a hard time seeing him as a total steal because we traded 3 draft picks to get him.I hope he does well and I think he’ll be worth it, but he’s not exactly a 7th round sleeper.

by Ezzra on May 1, 2009 12:35 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm just really..

riding on high after this fantastic off-season. [Can you tell?] Last year was such a bloody “jagged stick in the eye,” you know? Although, part of me thinks the 12th Man (along with many of the team members, themselves) had gotten a bit spoiled over the last five or six years. I think after last season, the vets on the team (if healthy) are going to be seriously humbled, and seriously hungry. Let’s hope everyone can stay healthy.

Good grief!!! I wish they could just cryogenically suspend me until September!!

by Grimm Blackwood on May 1, 2009 12:44 PM PDT up reply actions

I like him,

but I don’t love him, because my love was for Juaquin Iglesias. He can run he can hide, but he can’t escape my love.

McCoy McCoy 2010, also acceptable, Russell Okung, Ndamukong Suh, Dez Bryant, Ciron Black, Trent Williams, and Bryan Baluga.

by LantermanC on May 1, 2009 12:41 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Who...

ended up taking him? And, i totally agree with the sentiment.

by Grimm Blackwood on May 1, 2009 12:45 PM PDT up reply actions

Da Bears.

Good draft for them, good thing we have Denver’s pick, not theirs.

McCoy McCoy 2010, also acceptable, Russell Okung, Ndamukong Suh, Dez Bryant, Ciron Black, Trent Williams, and Bryan Baluga.

by LantermanC on May 1, 2009 12:50 PM PDT up reply actions

Thanks, and...

agreed. [makes little Hex signs at Kyle Orton.]

I’ll certainly have to remember to keep an eye on Iglesias, though, and see how he progresses.

by Grimm Blackwood on May 1, 2009 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Kle Orton doesn't need your help

He’ll fail regardless. Thanks though!

2/3 of the world is covered by water. The rest is covered by Marcus Trufant.

by Chickadee on May 2, 2009 10:12 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm watching 'How I met your Mother' right now, and Enrique Iglesias guest stars in an episode.

God that man has a gorgeous voice.

McCoy McCoy 2010, also acceptable, Russell Okung, Ndamukong Suh, Dez Bryant, Ciron Black, Trent Williams, and Bryan Baluga.

by LantermanC on May 1, 2009 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions

FGLJ, if such a thing existed.

by abender20 on May 1, 2009 3:53 PM PDT up reply actions

I googled that, nothing came up.

For good luck Jesus?

McCoy McCoy 2010, also acceptable, Russell Okung, Ndamukong Suh, Dez Bryant, Ciron Black, Trent Williams, and Bryan Baluga.

by LantermanC on May 1, 2009 3:55 PM PDT up reply actions

Field Gulls Live Journal, the bastard brother of Lookout Landing Live Journal.

by abender20 on May 1, 2009 4:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Good God, we will not go down that path.

The LOLs are already testing my patience.

by John Morgan on May 1, 2009 6:16 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs

Oh John, you make me LO-

oops, that was a close one.

2/3 of the world is covered by water. The rest is covered by Marcus Trufant.

by Chickadee on May 2, 2009 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions

Anyway, the point is to keep posts on topic or at least somewhat related.

by abender20 on May 2, 2009 10:44 AM PDT up reply actions

It was related.

The previous comment was about his little brother, Juaquin.

McCoy McCoy 2010, also acceptable, Russell Okung, Ndamukong Suh, Dez Bryant, Ciron Black, Trent Williams, and Bryan Baluga.

by LantermanC on May 2, 2009 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

If this football thing doesn't work out he can always go back and form a duo with Enrique.

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on May 2, 2009 8:07 PM PDT up reply actions

But he's a horrendous actor.

McCoy McCoy 2010, also acceptable, Russell Okung, Ndamukong Suh, Dez Bryant, Ciron Black, Trent Williams, and Bryan Baluga.

by LantermanC on May 1, 2009 4:00 PM PDT up reply actions

Here's the NFL Network video of him running 4.25

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGc0tCCzkmA

Speaks for itself…

by Kryten on May 1, 2009 8:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Wow, sweet video.

Thanks for posting this.

McCoy McCoy 2010, also acceptable, Russell Okung, Ndamukong Suh, Dez Bryant, Ciron Black, Trent Williams, and Bryan Baluga.

by LantermanC on May 1, 2009 11:05 PM PDT up reply actions

Great find

Where did knox go?

2/3 of the world is covered by water. The rest is covered by Marcus Trufant.

by Chickadee on May 2, 2009 10:18 AM PDT up reply actions

Knox went in the early 5th round to Da Bears

I also saw a cool “DraftGuys” scouting piece on Butler, but I don’t remember where I saw it, and am having trouble relocating it. Showed how fast he was out of his breaks and how he turned a DB into a pretzel. After seeing it, I was very glad we got him. I think he’ll be great for us— and I’m starting to have high hopes for RB Devin Moore as well.

by Kryten on May 2, 2009 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions