John Butler (running back)
Encyclopedia
John William Butler was a professional football
player in the National Football League
drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers
in 1942. He would go on to play for both Steelers merged teams ("Steagles
" in 1943; "Card-Pitt
" in 1944). In 1943 Butler was drafted into the military due to World War II
, however he was physically disqualified for duty. He then made his first start with the "Steagles" one day after being ruled 4-F by his draft board for poor eyesight and bad knees. During the 1944 season, Butler was charged, and fined $200, by co-coaches Walt Kiesling
and Phil Handler
for "indifferent play". He was then put on waivers and was soon claimed by the Brooklyn Tigers. In 1945, he played his final season with the Philadelphia Eagles
.
Prior to playing professionally, Butler played football at the college level
while attending the University of Tennessee
from 1939–1941. As a sophomore in 1939, Bulter ran 56 yards for a touchdown
against the University of Alabama
. He was elected into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 1997.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
in 1942. He would go on to play for both Steelers merged teams ("Steagles
Steagles
The Steagles is the popular nickname for the team created by the temporary merger of two National Football League teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, during the 1943 season...
" in 1943; "Card-Pitt
Card-Pitt
Card-Pitt was the name for the team created by the temporary merger of two National Football League teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Chicago Cardinals, during the 1944 season. The teams were forced to merge, because both had lost many players to World War II military service...
" in 1944). In 1943 Butler was drafted into the military due to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, however he was physically disqualified for duty. He then made his first start with the "Steagles" one day after being ruled 4-F by his draft board for poor eyesight and bad knees. During the 1944 season, Butler was charged, and fined $200, by co-coaches Walt Kiesling
Walt Kiesling
Walter Andrew Kiesling was an American football player and coach.-Playing career:A native of Saint Paul, Minnesota, Kiesling played both offensive and defensive line at the University of St. Thomas...
and Phil Handler
Phil Handler
Philip Jacob Handler was a football player and coach who spent his entire professional career in the city of Chicago. On three separate occasions, Handler served as head coach of the Chicago Cardinals, and later as an assistant coach for the Chicago Bears...
for "indifferent play". He was then put on waivers and was soon claimed by the Brooklyn Tigers. In 1945, he played his final season with the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
Prior to playing professionally, Butler played football at the college level
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
while attending the University of Tennessee
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
from 1939–1941. As a sophomore in 1939, Bulter ran 56 yards for a touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
against the University of Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
. He was elected into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 1997.