Devin McCourty defends Malcolm Butler: ‘We all knew he wasn’t starting all week’
According to Devin McCourty, the reports that Malcolm Butler did not play in Super Bowl LII because of disciplinary reasons are simply false.
Speaking at a Rutgers-based fundraiser for Tackle Sickle Cell, McCourty told NJ Advance Media that not only were those allegations against the cornerback just rumors, but that the team knew what was coming.
“As far as I know, all of that (belief that Butler did not play any defensive snaps because of disciplinary reasons) is the furthest thing from the truth,” McCourty told NJ Advance Media. “We all knew he wasn’t starting all week. That wasn’t a secret to the guys on the team.”
Ever since the Philadelphia Eagles won, 41-33, the question over why Butler, a starter and staple of the defense and hero of Super Bowl XLIX, did not play at all on defense on a night where it was torched has raged on. But McCourty staunchly defended Butler and insisted the cornerback was not out partying all week like some had reported.
“I get why people are fishing,” McCourty said. “The guy played 98 percent of the plays. I just hate that for him character-wise going into free agency. It’s just not true. As far as I…