Vicksburg native and former NFL defensive back Malcolm Butler has been arrested in Rhode Island for allegedly driving drunk.
The former New England Patriots star, best known for his game-saving interception to catapult the Pats to a 28-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX, was taken into custody on March 16 after police detected an odor of alcohol coming from Butler’s breath and noticed that his speech was slurred.
Butler told authorities that he was driving from a studio in Providence, the state’s capital city, where he had been recording music. The former football player later refused to submit field sobriety tests and turned down a chemical test.
He has been summoned to appear in court on charges of a DUI, a traffic violation, and refusal to submit to a chemical test.
Butler began his football career at Vicksburg High School and journeyed in college, making stops at Hinds Community College in Raymond, Alcorn State University, and the University of West Alabama before going pro.
A two-time Super Bowl champion, Butler was selected to one Pro Bowl and one All-Pro team during his seven-year career. The Vicksburg native spent the first four seasons with the Patriots and the final three with the Tennessee Titans ahead of his first retirement from the league in 2021. He attempted to rejoin the Patriots’ organization in 2022 but was released from the team before the start of the 2022-23 season.
