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A wide receiver at St. Bonaventure turned defensive back with the Steelers, Butler revolutionized the defensive side of the ball and paved the way for the current cornerback position. When he retired in 1959, Butler ranked second on the NFL’s all-time interceptions list with 52. Butler was presented with his Bronze Bust from his oldest son, John, the second of his three symbols of the Hall of Fame. The first was the Gold Jacket given to him last night, and the third will be a ring awarded during a Steelers home game this season. “I have to give special thanks to my parents, my four brothers, my two sisters and wife, Bernadette,” Butler commented. “I’d also like to acknowledge our four sons and our four daughters, and our 15 grandchildren. “It is important to acknowledge the Rooney and McGinley families,” Butler continued. “They have impacted my life and the lives of my entire family tremendously.” Butler was a four-time Pro Bowler – all in consecutive years at the end of his career fro...

CANTON, Ohio – St. Bonaventure football legend and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive standout Jack Butler, Class of 1951, will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday evening. Butler is joined in the 2012 induction class by Curtis Martin, Chris Doleman, Cortez Kennedy, Willie Roaf and Dermontti Dawson. No player in history has had to wait longer than Butler’s 50 years to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. ESPN will televise the ceremony beginning on Saturday, Aug. 4, at 7 p.m. Coverage will be available on GoBonnies.com and all our social media platforms throughout the weekend, beginning Friday and concluding Sunday evening at the Hall of Fame Game between the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals, where Butler will be honored prior to the contest. Additionally, the NFL has developed the hashtag #PFHOF12 for fans to interact with on Twitter all weekend. Butler, who was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame during Super Bowl weekend this past February, becom...

St. Bonaventure football legend Jack Butler, class of 1951, was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame during Super Bowl Saturday festivities in Indianapolis. “I dreamed about being a big, strong football player … but deep down, I don’t really think I believed what I was dreaming,” Butler said in his press conference after being elected. “I knew I was pretty good, but I never thought I was that good. “Jack Butler from Pittsburgh, Pa., by way of St. Bonaventure University, and here I am. … It’s really an honor and a privilege.” Butler is the fourth St. Bonaventure alum in one of the prominent professional halls of fame. Baseball legends Hughie Jennings and John McGraw, for whom the university’s athletic fields are named after, are in the Baseball Hall of Fame; and Bob Lanier, ’70, is in the Basketball Hall of Fame. In August, Butler was named one of two Seniors Committee finalists for the Hall of Fame, along with Dick Stanfel, but only Butler was honored. He joins Curtis Martin, Dermo...