Green Bay Packers: Top 10 DBs in team history

Sep 30, 2013; St. Francis, WI, USA; Green Bay Packer retired player

hosts a radio show during Media Day at Milwaukee Bucks Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports

#6 – LeRoy Butler

I feel like this may be where I start to hear some dissent, which wouldn’t be unreasonable considering who’s up.

I mean, Butler IS one of the more beloved Packers there is, especially to those in my generation (since his career directly coincided with the revitalization of the team in the 1990s).

He has plenty working in his favor, that’s for sure.

LeRoy Butler is the originator of the Lambeau Leap, having enthralled fans with the first one 21 years ago, Dec. 26, 1993.

Raymond T. Rivard photograph

This excellent safety garnered turnovers at a rapid rate throughout his career; in his 11 seasons (181 games), he collected 38 interceptions, 13 forced fumbles and 10 fumble recoveries. Alongside that he also managed to collect 20.5 sacks (including 6.5 in one season), becoming a member of the exclusive 20 INT/20 sack club in the process.

Some other impressive accolades on his list include 533 career interception-return yards, the fifth-most unassisted career tackles in team history (735), five seasons of leading the Packers in interceptions, four seasons of at least five-plus interceptions, being tied for fourth-most career INTs for the team, and three defensive touchdowns (two fumble-returns, one INT return).

Oh, and of course he was part of that 1996 championship team.

Beyond all of the statistical achievements, Butler also happens to be the source of one of the iconic scoring celebrations the league has to offer (and one of the few that hasn’t yet been outlawed by the No-Fun League): the Lambeau Leap.

With all these accomplishments, it is a shame Butler isn’t higher; when first compiling this list I sure expected he would be.

His somewhat low spot should not be taken as an indictment of him at all; it should point to just how incredible those above him played in their respective careers.