Former Bearcat star athlete James Butler, Jr., returned to Bainbridge High School last Saturday night as part of the NFL’s celebration of Super Bowl 50. Butler presented Head Football Coach Jeff Littleton and principal Tommie Howell with a commemorative golden football to recognize the NFL’s golden anniversary game.

“This is a symbol of all the work everyone put in to help me get here,” Butler said.

Butler was a member the New York Giants when they defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.

Butler graduated from BHS in 2001. During his time as a Bearcat, he was named to the All-Region 1-AAAA team as a safety. He was also a first-team all-region basketball player and a state triple jump champion.

After graduation Butler attended Georgia Tech where he was a two time First-team All-ACC selection and a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award as a senior.

Butler went undrafted out of Georgia Tech, but he made the Giant’s final roster and appeared in all 16 games during his rookie season. In all Butler spent seven years in the NFL including four with the Giants and three with the St. Louis Rams.

During the Giant’s run to a title in Super Bowl XLII, Butler served as the team’s starting strong safety during the postseason and he led the team with 10 total tackles in the Super Bowl.

“Amazing, nervous, anxious” Butler said about what it was like to play in the Super Bowl. “I was reflecting on how I got there and to win it all, all the emotions came out at the same time.”

BHS is one of more than 2000 high schools throughout eight countries and 48 states that received a golden football.

“It means a lot,” Butler said. “Hopefully the kids under me can see that they can get there.”