UPDATE:
New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler refutes rumors he was benched for missing curfew to attend a Rick Ross concert during the week the 2018 Super Bowl. The football player released a statement regarding the talk spreading throughout the internet.
"During Super Bowl week I never attended any concert, missed curfew, or participated any the ridiculous activities being reported," reads his statement. "They are not only false, but hurtful, to me and my family. Although I wish could have contributed more to help my team win, I have to get ready for the next opportunity. Moving forward I will do what I have always done to work hard, and prepare for next season to be the best I can be on and f the field."
Read the full statement below.
ORIGINAL STORY:
New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler was the hero Super Bowl XLIX, making a game-saving interception against the Seattle Seahawks. But on Feb. 4 during Super Bowl LII, the defensive back didn't play a single down on defense, only coming in for one play on special teams.
Now, it's been revealed why Butler was benched and part it has to do with a Rick Ross concert. According to a report from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Butler broke the team's midnight curfew after attending a Rozay show in Minneapolis on Thursday (Feb. 1).
While the breaking the curfew wasn't the only reason Butler was benched, it was part a larger list issues. Butler reportedly also struggled all week during practice and showed up a day late after the team did because sickness.
Neither Butler or Patriots head coach Bill Belichick have confirmed the reason for benching but Butler did speak after Sunday night's loss, telling ESPN, "They gave up on me. Fuck, it is what it is." He added, "It was a coach's decision… I don't know what it was. I guess I wasn't playing good. They didn't feel comfortable. I could have changed that game, though."
Butler also refuted Rapoport's claims, posting a lengthy statement on Twitter. “During Super Bowl week, I never attended any concert, missed curfew, or participated in] any the ridiculous activities being reported," he wrote. "They are not only false, but hurtful to me and my family.”
Check out Butler's tweet below.