Former Patriots CB Malcolm Butler arrested for drunk driving in Rhode Island

Former New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler was arrested earlier this month in North Providence, Rhode Island, for drunk driving.

Per the police report obtained by WBZ-TV, Butler was arrested on Saturday, March 16, after a patrolman said he saw a white Mercedes Benz stopped and blocking traffic just after 3 a.m. The patrolman spoke with the driver, identified as Butler, and said he noticed a “strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from his breath.”

The police report states that Butler was “sweating profusely” and had “extremely slurred and delayed speech along with severely bloodshot watery eyes.” When the officer asked Butler if he had been drinking, he responded, “just take me to jail.” The 34-year-old refused sobriety tests and was subsequently arrested. He later refused to take a breathalyzer test at the police station, according to the report.

Butler was charged with driving drunk. He is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, March 28. Butler’s attorney, former Rhode Island House Speaker John Harwood, has filed a motion to dismiss or suppress the charge. He is arguing that Butler’s Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and 14th Amendment rights under the U.S. Constitution “were violated.”

“I think when they stopped him, he wasn’t driving,” Harwood said. “He was off the road, and that he wasn’t driving tells me at least he was being responsible.”

Malcolm Butler calls it quits on NFL career

Butler announced his retirement from the NFL at an event in Houston earlier this month. He last suited up in 2020 with the Tennessee Titans, starting all 16 games. Prior to his three-year stint in Tennessee, Butler spent four seasons with the Patriots. Butler appeared in 59 games (48 starts) for the Patriots, earning a Pro Bowl nod in 2015.

Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2014, Butler’s career-defining moment came in Super Bowl XLIX, when he made a game-saving interception against the Seattle Seahawks.

“I am retired,” Butler said. “I did the best I can do. Walking away from the game feeling comfortable. Everybody can do more, but I’m satisfied with my career. It’s time to move on and transition.”