Butler recorded 35 receptions for 631 yards his senior year and scored 14 total touchdowns, including two punt returns, two kick returns and one interception return for a touchdown.[2][11][12] He accumulated six interceptions during his junior year and six interceptions in his senior season as well.[2][12] He helped the team win the City League championship in 1997 and 1998.[2][13] The team advanced to the PIAA Class AAA state championship game in 1997 but lost.[2][13]
Butler played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers of the University of Pittsburgh from 1999 to 2000 and lettered both years. He was a reserve cornerback and special teams contributor each year. He played in the final eight games of the 1999 season, recording five solo tackles, five tackle assists and two passes defended.[19] On November 13, 1999, Butler broke up a pass in the end zone on the final play in the history of Pitt Stadium.[2][20] He played in ten games during his sophomore year in 2000, totaling three solo tackles and two tackle assists.[19] After the 2000 season, he had transitioned to wide receiver after spending time, and impressing, on the scout squad at receiver.[2]
Butler signed with the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League (NFL) on April 25, 2004, after going undrafted in the 2004 NFL draft, becoming the fifth player in Robert Morris history to sign an NFL contract.[25][26] He was released by the Chargers on September 5 and signed to the team's practice squad the following day. He was promoted to the active roster of the Chargers on November 30, 2004.[26] Butler played in five games for the team during the 2004 season, recording three solo tackles and four tackle assists.[27] He also returned two kickoffs for 35 yards.[28][23] He was released by the Chargers on September 3, 2005.[26][29]
On November 11, 2005, Butler was signed to the practice squad of the Baltimore Ravens of the NFL. He was promoted to the team's active roster on December 30. He re-signed with the Ravens on May 18, 2006. Butler was released by the team on September 2, 2006.[26]
He had a workout with the New England Patriots of the NFL in December 2006. He signed a two-year contract with the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs on February 12, 2007.[26] Butler was released by the Chiefs on September 2, 2007.[30]
He signed with the Kansas City Brigade of the Arena Football League on November 29, 2007. He was released by the team on February 16, 2008, signed by the Brigade on March 18 and placed on recallable waivers nine days later. The Brigade signed Butler to the team's practice squad on April 2 and promoted him to the active roster on April 12. He was placed on recallable waivers on April 29, signed by the Brigade on May 1 and placed on recallable waivers on May 7, 2008.[31] Overall, he totaled eleven solo tackles, seven tackle assists and one interception for the Brigade during the 2008 season.[32]
His son Aaron, a four-star recruit from Calabasas High School in California, committed to the Colorado Buffaloes football team for the 2024 class.[37]
References
^Yoder, Michael (July 27, 1999). "Freshman fever". The Daily Collegian. Archived from the original on August 28, 2016. Retrieved August 28, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
^ abcdefghijk"Robb Butler"(PDF). Netitor.com. p. 83. Archived from the original on August 28, 2016. Retrieved August 28, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
^"RECRUITING". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. February 4, 1999. p. 25. Archived from the original on August 28, 2016. Retrieved August 28, 2016.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
^ abWallace, Allen. "Northeast". USA Today. Archived from the original on August 28, 2016. Retrieved August 28, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
^ ab"Fabulous 22". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. December 16, 1998. p. 83. Archived from the original on August 28, 2016. Retrieved August 28, 2016.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
^"CITY LEAGUE BOYS". WPIAL.org. Archived from the original on August 26, 2016. Retrieved August 26, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
^"Robb Butler". 247Sports. Archived from the original on August 26, 2016. Retrieved August 26, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
^ abcde"Robb Butler". KFFL.com. Archived from the original on August 26, 2016. Retrieved August 26, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
^"NFL Transactions". ESPN. Archived from the original on August 28, 2016. Retrieved August 28, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
^Yatzeck, Tanya (March 5, 2015). "From NFL to MBA: the will to win". OlinBlog.WUSTL.edu. Archived from the original on August 26, 2016. Retrieved August 26, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)