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In Memory of John Butler
It is with great sadness that the Oxford Saints reports the death of former offensive tackle John Butler. John was one of the original Bulldogs who took up American Football in 1983 and played in the inaugural British American Football League season in 1985.
It all began in 1983 with Channel 4’s live screening of Superbowl XVII between the Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins. John and many others in the UK were inspired to take up the game. When Saints founder Steve Abbott decided to try and establish a team in Oxford, John answered the call. The then Oxford Eagles, later renamed the Oxford Bulldogs began to take shape, practicing at during the evenings and at weekends in Cutteslow Park.
The team was without a coach until Pete Cole read an article on the Oxford Eagles in the Oxford Mail. Pete Cole was an experienced football coach who had just arrived in Oxford on a years study leave. Pete Cole’s curiosity got the better of him and he went to Cuttelow Park to take a look at what he described as a “rag tag and disorganized but very keen bunch, possessing only a limited knowledge of the game”. Somehow he was “talked” into becoming the head coach by assembled players, including John Butler. This was the start of a very close friendship between John and Pete Cole, which continued right up until John’s death.
Pete quickly spotted that John’s 6’5” frame and athletic ability made him ideally suited to playing on the offensive line. Pete set about building the imposing Bulldog’s offensive line, with Gary Walker at guard, Steve Abbott at center and the imposing frame of John at left tackle.
Throughout, 2003 and 2004 the Bulldogs played a number of friendly games, the most notable being a 51-0 victory over the London Olympians. The Bulldogs remained unbeaten as they prepared for the inaugural BAFL season in 1985. John was joined by long-term Bulldog and Saints stalwart, Everett McClean on the offensive line, as the team began its first campaign in the newly created league.
With the Bulldogs offence built around a strong rushing game, it was John and his fellow offensive linemen who cleared a path for runningbacks Kip Brady and Nick Whitford, while proving pass protection for quarterback Bob Johnson. The site of John overpowering opposing defenses became a familiar site in 1985. It was in the epic encounters with division rivals the Thames Valley Charger’s where John’s ability and commitment really shone through. Thanks much to John and his fellow offensive linemen, the Bulldogs finished the first regular season as South West Division Champions, sporting an 8-1-1 record.
In the playoffs, the Bulldogs over powered the Ealing Eagles before losing out in a controversial defeat against the eventual champions, the London Ravens. John played on sparingly in the following season before deciding to retire from the game. However, John maintained his links with the team, attending a number of games over the years. As was very typical of John, when watching the Bulldogs and Saints play, he was never backward in making his opinions known and offering advice.
John exemplified the Bulldog spirit and what in meant to be a Bulldog. He will be greatly missed and are thoughts are with his wife Brenda and daughter Hannah at this sad time.
John’s funeral will be held at Oxford Crematorium on Wednesday 30th June at 12 noon.
Published: 28-06-2010 by Chris Janes