Making his first regular season visit to Lambeau Field since his retirement in July, legendary Packers safety LeRoy Butler will be on hand Monday night to join the team as an honorary captain.
A four-time Pro Bowler and a first-team selection to the 1990s NFL All-Decade Team, Butler spent his entire 12-year career wearing the Packers' green and gold.
In that span, Butler played in 181 games, the fourth-most in team history behind only Bart Starr (196), Ray Nitschke (190) and Forrest Gregg (187).
Butler seemed to be a lock to break Starr's games-played record until a shoulder injury shortened his 2001 season, and ultimately his career. The injury also kept Butler from achieving another reachable milestone, retiring two interceptions shy of becoming the first NFL player to amass 40 career interceptions and 20 career sacks.
Often forgotten is that it was Butler, a defensive player, who originated the 'Lambeau Leap,' the practice of capping off a touchdown score by jumping into the awaiting arms of Packers fans lining the rails at Lambeau Field.
Butler invented the move spontaneously in 1993, after returning a fumble for a touchdown. It was a move that typified his love for the fans that supported him.
At his retirement announcement July 18, Butler's fans were at the forefront of his mind.
"Coming out at Lambeau Field, shaking hands with the people in the end zone, that was awesome to me," Butler said. "That means more to me than anything, that people were actually waiting for me to come out of that tunnel and shake their hand before (a game) . . .
"That's what it's all about, because we're the only, rare team where the people own us, so it's my duty to do whatever I can. That's the one thing I'll really miss is the fans."
Butler attended the Packers' preseason contest against the Cleveland Browns, August 26.
