![Published Caption: Patriots strong safety Malcolm Butler, left, who intercepts a pass in the final moments of Super Bowl LXIX to help the Patriots win their fourth championship, was an undrafted free agent. [THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL, FILE / BOB BREIDENBACH]
Original Caption: Published Caption: The game that stands our for sports writer Mark Daniels was Super Bowl XLIX when Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler intercepted a Russell Wilson pass at the goal line in the waning seconds of what became a 28-24 New England win over Seattle. [THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL, FILE / BOB BREIDENBACH] Original Caption: Published Caption: In a decade of outstanding plays, the top one was Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler’s interception of a Russell Wilson pass at the goal line in the waning seconds of SuperBowl XLIX, a 28-24 New England win over Seattle. [THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL, FILE / BOB BREIDENBACH] Original Caption: Published Caption: Patriots cornerback Malcolm ButlerþÄôs interception was the play of the game in SuperBowl XLIX against Seattle. [The Providence Journal/Bob Breidenbach] Original Caption: GLENDALE, AZ--Sunday, February 1, 2015-SUPER Bowl XLIX--Seattle Seahawks vs New England Patriots: PICTURED IS:Patriot Malcolm Butler intercepts a ball in the final seconds of the game intended for Seahawk Ricardo Lockette. The Providence Journal/Bob Breidenbach ORG XMIT: PJC1502012244366303](https://statico.profootballnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/02121453/ex-patriots-cb-malcolm-butler-02-02-26-1920x1949.jpg "Ex-Patriots CB Malcolm Butler Reveals How His Life Changed After Super Bowl-Winning Interception vs. Seahawks")
Malcolm Butler is responsible for one of the more memorable moments in recent Super Bowl history. As a rookie, Butler intercepted Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson at the 1-yard line, sealing the victory for the New England Patriots.
It was the first interception of Butler’s career and is still the play he’s most known for. Ahead of the Patriots’ return to the Super Bowl, Butler, now retired, reflected on that play and what it meant to him.
Malcolm Butler Says Super Bowl INT Changed His Life
Entering Super Bowl 49, Butler was relatively unknown outside of New England. The cornerback went undrafted out of West Alabama in 2014 but impressed during training camp and earned a spot on the roster.
Butler was listed as the fifth cornerback on the depth chart for the Super Bowl, but the rookie ended up getting on the field in the second half and making a bigger impact than anyone imagined.
The Seahawks were at the 1-yard line of the Patriots, trailing 28-24 with around 20 seconds to play, and most expected the team would run it with Marshawn Lynch. Instead, Wilson tried to hit Ricardo Lockette on a slant, and Butler jumped the route and got the interception.
Reflecting on his Super Bowl heroics, Butler recently explained what changed after that night.
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“It changed peoples’ lives. It changed my life,” said Butler. “We went 10 years without winning the Super Bowl before that. It changed the franchise back to their winning ways. Man, it meant so much to me, especially all the things I’ve been through to get where I’m at today.”
After that Super Bowl, Butler remained a starter for the team for the next several seasons. The corner eventually secured a five-year, $61 million deal from the Tennessee Titans, which is unheard of for an undrafted free agent.
“Going to the Grammys, being on the news, going to Disneyland, riding a jet for the first time, it was just, it was outstanding, man,” Butler said. “Man, I had new cousins, new friends, a lot of Instagram followers, a little bit more money in my bank account, people leaving flowers at my door. Couldn’t even go to Stop n’ Shop and get lunch meat. It was just a whole lot of good things – blessings and appreciation.”
Butler ended up playing in the NFL for seven seasons and last appeared in a game during the 2020 season. The corner ended his career with two Super Bowl rings, one Pro Bowl bid, and 17 interceptions.
Patriots Looking for First Super Bowl Since 2018 Season
Since Tom Brady left the Patriots after the 2019 season, the team has had a rough go of it — at least until this season.
From 2020 to 2024, the team only made the playoffs once and didn’t win a single playoff game in that stretch. However, with Drake Maye at quarterback and Mike Vrabel at head coach, the team had a fantastic season in 2025 and is now back in the big game for the first time since the 2018 season.
PFSN’s NFL Offense Impact Metric gives the Patriots an elite 86.6 grade for 2025, while PFSN’s NFL Defense Impact Metric gives the team a 78.2 grade. The team is now playing the Seahawks in the Super Bowl once again, looking for its seventh championship.
