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Before long-time Green Bay Packers safety LeRoy Butler got a disappointing phone call from Pro Football Hall of Fame president David Baker, he received an encouraging message from Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Butler told Packers.com that Rodgers sent him a text message wishing him good luck – and his support helped calm Butler’s nerves last Saturday, the decision day for Hall of Fame induction.
“The message I got from Aaron Rodgers made me feel so much better,” Butler said, via Wes Hodkiewicz of the team’s official site. “That really meant a lot. It was just a very positive message about how he hopes I get in. That was nice.”
Rodgers, who was drafted by the Packers in 2005, never played with Butler, who played his final year in the NFL in 2001, but Butler has remained close to the team since retiring. The four-time All-Pro also does Packers analysis for the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
Rodgers’ encouragement helped ease the stress of what turned out to be a disappointing day for the 1990s All-Decade team member.
Butler, a Hall of Fame finalist for the first time, didn’t get in.
Safety Steve Atwater, running back Edgerrin James, receiver Isaac Bruce, guard Steve Hutchinson and safety Troy Polamalu were voted in as the five inductees in the 2020 class.
According to Butler, roughly 85 percent of Hall of Fame finalists eventually get voted in, so he likes his chances in future years. And he was as gracious as ever about the others who got in before him, including Atwater – the other member of the All-Decade without a gold jacket.
“I was so happy for Steve Atwater,” Butler said. “He was so nice to me all week. John Lynch, Troy, we all know we’re going to get in one day. We’re not trying to pull each other down to get in there. Steve, the guy has been a finalist forever. As a matter of fact, Steve getting in now makes me the only All-Decade member of our decade who’s not in from the first team. That’s a good thing.”
Butler, the creator of the Lambeau Leap, finished his decorated NFL career with 38 interceptions, 20.5 sacks and 13 forced fumbles over 12 seasons, all spent with the Packers. He played in two Super Bowls, winning Super Bowl XXXI after the 1996 season. The AP named him a first-team All-Pro in 1993, 1996, 1997 and 1998.