New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler being benched in Super Bowl LII is still a big story over seven years later.
The new Patriots documentary “The Dynasty” on Apple TV+ got perspective from some players who were on the field that night.
Former Patriots receiver Danny Amendola, who recorded a team-high eight receptions and 152 yards in the game, especially was not pleased with Butler’s benching. Unfortunately, New England did not adjust to Philadelphia’s offensive attack and lost the game by a 41-33 score.
New England’s poor defensive performance made several wonder if the outcome would’ve been different had Butler been on the field that day. Amendola did not hold back, as transcribed by WEEI’s Mike Kadlick.
“I remember walking off the field that night just really confused,” said Amendola. “That was the biggest game of our lives at the moment and Malcolm’s not on the field? That [expletive] kinda pisses me off still today. I mean we played our asses off. Tom threw for 500+ yards which in a Super Bowl had never been done. We’re out there literally putting our bodies on the line, our heads on the line, for our, you know for our friends, our family, our teammates, and to not get an explanation like– I felt like we got cheated and honestly and I don’t feel bad saying that.”
Danny Amendola, among others, was pissed that Malcolm Butler didn’t play in Super Bowl LII (via ‘The Dynasty’):
“I remember walking off the field that night just really confused. That was the biggest game of our lives at the moment and Malcolm’s not on the field? That sh– kinda…
— Mike Kadlick (@mikekadlick) March 15, 2024
New England’s secondary struggled, and Butler may have been able to help weather the storm. It’s a classic case of what could have been for a Patriots dynasty that ultimately ended with six Super Bowl victories.
It was perhaps one of the biggest blunders of the Belichick era.
