Robert Kraft Blame Bill Belichick
If you were expecting some explosive revelations about the reason behind former Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler’s benching in Super Bowl LII from the docuseries “The Dynasty” on Apple TV+, we regret to inform you that such information is not disclosed.
The series does touch upon this topic, but given the people involved, one can easily predict the direction of those discussions. The focus is on a tense exchange between the series director, Matt Hamachek, and former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, a brief explanation from Butler’s perspective, and significant blame placed on the coach for the decision.
“When Malcolm Butler had played 98% of the snaps in the 2017 season, why was he only on the field for one play in the Super Bowl?” Hamacheck inquired of Belichick.
“We’ve discussed that, Matt,” was Belichick’s response.
“I never inquired about it,” Hamacheck pushed back, attempting unsuccessfully to elicit any explanation from the 71-year-old. That’s the extent of the information we receive from one side, while Butler also remains conspicuously reticent about the situation.
“I was very emotional,” Butler expressed. “I felt mistreated because I only learned I wouldn’t be playing during the game… The thing is, I really don’t know. I truly don’t. It hurt to watch my team struggle when I knew I could contribute. Not a single opportunity. Not one.”
Butler essentially leaves the issue in Belichick’s hands with that statement, possibly aware that it will remain unaddressed for a considerable period. It’s disappointing that neither Belichick nor Butler delve deeply into the events of February 2018, but that outcome was likely anticipated. The most unexpected aspect of “The Dynasty” exploring this topic was the reactions of Butler’s teammates and several Patriots leaders. Their responses ranged from diplomatic (hello, Devin McCourty and Matthew Slater) to deflecting all responsibility (hello, Robert Kraft) to openly resentful (welcome back, Danny Amendola).
Here are their remarks, presented in sequence.
McCourty: If you would have told me going into that game, Malcolm Butler’s not going in, do you think that helps you win? I’d say no. That year, 98 percent of the time, Malcolm is on the field playing with us on defense. Three years before, in Super Bowl 49, he saves the game.
Slater: As players, I know we all felt strongly that Malcolm should have been out there. But that’s not our call. At the end of our day, we trust our coach. Seeing how the game transpiring, it was kind of like, we need him in there right now. Can we get him in there to stop the bleeding?
Josh McDaniels: I don’t have one bit of information about that to this day.
McCourty: I talked to coaches, other players, none of us ever heard what happened or why it happened.
Kraft: What has been told me was that there was something personal going on between Bill and Malcolm that was not football-related. I always felt that every decision Bill had made had been to put what was in the best interest of the team first and put emotion aside, but with Malcolm, he did just the opposite.
Danny Amendola: I remember walking off the field that night just really confused. That was the biggest game our lives at the moment, and Malcolm’s not on the field, that shit still kind of pisses me off still today. I mean, we played our asses off. Tom threw for 500-plus yards, which in the Super Bowl has never been done. We’re out there literally putting our bodies on the line, our heads on the line for our friends, family, teammates. To not get an explanation, like, I felt we got cheated a little bit, honestly, and I don’t feel bad saying that.
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