Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler says he didn’t miss a curfew or do anything off the field that would have hurt New England’s chances of winning the Super Bowl before he was benched for the game.
In a statement released Tuesday on Twitter and Instagram
DeMarcus Ware Jersey , Butler says reports of misconduct off the field are ”ridiculous.”
He says he visited with family every night while in Minneapolis. He adds, ”I never attended any concert, missed curfew
A.J. Bouye Jersey , or participated in any of the ridiculous activities being reported. They are not only false, but hurtful to me and my family.”
Before the Super Bowl, Butler was on the field for 98 percent of the Patriots’ defensive snaps and started 17 of their 18 games. But he made it on the field for only one special teams play on Sunday as the Philadelphia Eagles racked up 538 yards of offense
Cam Newton Jersey , including 374 yards passing, and won 41-33. Patriots coach Bill Belichick has not explained why Butler was benched.
After the game, Butler told ESPN that he ”could have changed the game.” He also used a profanity and said the Patriots ”gave up” on him.
In his statement
Zack Martin Jersey , Butler apologized for the language he used ”during a very emotional time.” His statement was ”liked” on Instagram by teammates Tom Brady and Martellus Bennett.
Butler is an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
—
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Kentrell Brothers has been suspended for the first four games of the regular season for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing substances policy.
The league announced the punishment Friday for Brothers, who will remain eligible for practices and games in the offseason and preseason before having to sit out. He can rejoin the active roster on Sept. 28, the day after Minnesota's fourth game. He can play on Oct. 7 when the Vikings take on Philadelphia.
Brothers was a fifth-round draft pick by the Vikings in 2016 out of Missouri. He has played only sparingly on defense. But he was second on the team in 2017 with 16 special teams tackles.
Josh Okogie Jersey ,
