It’s all about opportunity for former NFL lineman

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This article was published 04/06/2010 (5958 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

KNOW this about Kelly Butler, the 6-foot-7, 300-something-pound human eclipse of an offensive lineman trying out with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers:

He already has a job, two actually, working with young offenders and sexually traumatized children in Oklahoma City. And he already has a job in football as a dominant hog for the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz of Arena Football.

But deep down the former Purdue University star, a guy who made 21 starts in the NFL with Detroit and Cleveland, had this burning desire to return to the big field. And we do mean a burning desire…

"The fire is burning. It’s an inferno right now," explained Butler, the 27-year-old Grand Rapids, Mich., product. "There’s a lot of doubters out there and they help me to just keep putting more wood on the fire. They look at you like you’re a failure or something. So, every time I get a little tired I put another log on the fire. That motivates me."

Butler’s tale is a familiar one here at Blue Bomber rookie camp and all across the CFL. It’s here in the Great White North where all prospects are treated equally, be they former first-round draft picks from football factories like Alabama or small-school/junior college standouts. It’s here where dreams are rekindled, where the passion for the game is rediscovered.

It’s all about opportunity — a word Butler used 15 times in a six-minute interview on Thursday.

Interestingly, Butler was to come north to the Bombers last year after his rights were acquired from the Edmonton Eskimos. But he had some family issues to take care of, a crisis he wished not to talk about but which drained him nonetheless.

"Mentally and physically I wasn’t ready," said Butler.

"Things happen for a reason and this year I came in here more physically, mentally and spiritually prepared. Last year I was in the point of my life where I was dealing with some adversity. I was very thankful they gave me the opportunity to come back this year.

"This is a second chance. I played in the NFL for four years, got released and went out there and worked. I got an opportunity to learn what’s important. I got a new passion. It’s like going to high school all over again with all the answers.

"I love it here. I love the coaching staff. I love the enthusiasm. I love the vets that are coming out here and helping us. Everybody’s very friendly… the people, the Blue Bombers. It’s a great environment, a great situation. I’m very, very excited to be a part of this right now."

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca

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