With fewer than 10 days remaining until the 2024 NFL Draft, it’s understandable if you’re feeling a bit overloaded by the incessant buzz surrounding prospects and the seemingly endless speculation about how the Green Bay Packers should fill the gaps on their roster.
So let’s take a brief break from the noise and look back — with one eye toward the future that is the Packers’ season-opening international game. Last Tuesday, the Cheeseheads Brazil podcast (co-hosted by yours truly) had a special guest: Hall of Famer LeRoy Butler. We had a great 40-minute conversation. It was one of the most memorable moments in Cheeseheads Brazil’s history — appropriate, since Butler is one of the most memorable players in Packers history.
Our conversation started by asking Butler about his feelings when he learned that the Packers would play the Philadelphia Eagles in São Paulo for Week 1. LeRoy expressed his excitement and pride in the Packers as a team with a global presence.
“We always knew the Packers were America’s team,” he said. “It seems we are now trying to do something bigger and better as a brand.”
His enthusiasm for the opportunity to showcase football in Brazil was palpable. “I’m very excited, and it seems that the NFL wants to be a global brand,” he continued. “I want to visit different places, eat food, and film it for other people who are not going to be able to come to the game and let them know what Brazil is.”
I asked Butler about his expectations for Green Bay’s matchup against the Eagles in São Paulo.
“With Brazil, it’s a little bit different,” he said. “It’s the one place Americans may not be admitted to, but it’s one place they really want to visit. Brazil’s colors look like the Packers’. It’s a Friday game, and that means the NFL trusted the Packers and the Eagles to kick off the season. This is huge for Jordan Love because a lot of people outside of the United States have not seen him play.”
We ventured down memory lane, reminiscing about Butler’s career highlights. We asked him about his feelings about bringing the Lombardi Trophy back to Green Bay after winning Super Bowl XXXI against the New England Patriots.
For me, it was amazing because I grew up as a special needs kid in poverty. I dreamt of playing in the NFL to lift my family out of poverty. Years later, there I was on the big stage in front of millions of people. I vividly remember the moment we were holding the trophy after the game. Mike Holmgren told everyone that it meant a lot to everybody, but it meant even more for the Packers because Lombardi’s name was on it.
Packer was an important part of a historic Packers squad, but he’s also excited about the promising young group of players on the current roster. “There is no rebuilding with this team,” he emphasized. He asserted they are on a fast track to contend for a Super Bowl. Butler pointed to the team’s investments, such as signing Josh Jacobs and Xavier McKinney. “You don’t pay guys that kind of money,” he added, “unless you believe you can get to the Super Bowl.”
Butler’s journey from adversity to success is a testament to his resilience. Despite facing significant challenges as a special needs kid who used a wheelchair and endured bullying, he defied the odds to become a highly successful athlete. Butler emphasized the importance of inspiring children to believe in themselves. “It’s important for me to let kids know they can achieve their dreams,” he asserted.
Despite not fitting the conventional mold of the biggest or fastest player, Butler credits his unwavering belief and his mother’s unwavering support as driving forces behind his success. “I’m a Momma’s boy. She’s my hero,” he said. Moreover, Butler stressed the significance of education and the impact of supportive teachers in shaping his path to success. “I also like to tell kids to listen to their teachers in school,” he urged. “My teachers helped me a lot, and that’s why they were in my Hall of Fame speech.”
We couldn’t overlook the iconic Lambeau Leap celebration. Butler’s response was characteristically candid when asked about what it means to him to be the creator of such a beloved celebration. “I love it because it’s not just about me. It’s about the fans as well,” he emphasized. “Where else can you go, score a touchdown, and hug an owner? Only in Lambeau Field.”
Butler shed light on the spontaneous nature of the Lambeau Leap, highlighting the fact that the Packers have shareholders rather than a single owner, which contributed to the organic development of the celebration. He shared a touching detail about the statue erected in his honor outside the pro shop in Green Bay, revealing his desire for the fans to be represented alongside him. “We have fans in bronze, and you can sit on the wall in the picture as if you were a player. That’s what I wanted,” he explained.
Butler’s authenticity and warmth resonated deeply throughout the interview. It was a thrill and an honor for the whole Cheeseheads Brazil crew, and a terrific sneak preview of the excitement to come in São Paulo. Butler is a tremendous ambassador for Green Bay, and soon Green Bay will bring the Packer Way to a whole new continent of NFL fans.
