Sports

Hometown Eager to Celebrate Super Bowl Hero Malcolm Butler

Published

11 years ago

February 20, 2015

The sign for the city of Vicksburg, Miss., visitor’s center shares space with a newer sign touting Super Bowl hero and New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler as a hometown hero, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015. The city is holding a parade in Butler’s honor on Saturday, Feb. 21. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

DAVID BRANDT, AP Sports Writer

VICKSBURG, Miss. (AP) — The day before the Super Bowl that would change Malcolm Butler’s life, he posted a picture of the Vicksburg city seal on his Facebook page, thanking family and friends for supporting him during his journey to football’s biggest stage.

It was clear Butler loves his hometown.

Now Vicksburg — a town of about 25,000 people perched above the Mississippi River — gets a chance to love him back.

“His story is phenomenal,” said Mayor George Flaggs Jr. “Just like the play he made in the Super Bowl.”

The reason for Butler’s instant fame is now well known: In the final seconds, the undrafted rookie defensive back intercepted Russell Wilson’s pass at the goal line to seal the Super Bowl victory for the New England Patriots over the Seattle Seahawks.

Since then he’s appeared on the “Today Show” and “Tonight Show” and even “intercepted” an envelope at the Grammy Awards.

Now, he’ll be honored in a setting that’s a little more familiar.

Vicksburg has declared this “Malcolm Butler Week” and will have a parade in his honor on Saturday. It’ll be another hard-to-fathom moment for the 24-year-old, who said his life has gone from “zero to 100” in the past three weeks.

“It took me a couple days to realize what I did,” Butler said in a phone interview with The Associated Press. “I’m enjoying it and embracing it. I know (the fame is) not going to last forever, but that play will be remembered forever.”

Butler said he was back in Vicksburg for a few days earlier this week, spending time with family and close friends. He said he’s trying to keep a low profile because public appearances cause a commotion.

That won’t be possible on Saturday.

Butler’s high school football coach Alonzo Stevens said part of the player’s popularity comes from his unlikely rise to fame. The people in the town can relate to him and his imperfect past.

Stevens said Butler showed promise during his freshman season at Vicksburg High, but he missed the next two because of academic problems.

“What I loved him about him more than anything is when he messed up on the football field or in life, he owned up to it,” Stevens said. “He never passed the buck. He’s a hard worker and a fairy-tale story.”

The coach admits Butler was off his radar by his senior season until a surprise turnaround.

“He told me he had his grades right and he wanted to play football again,” Stevens said. “I figured, ‘Well, he could hold the practice dummies or play special teams.'”

It wasn’t the last time Butler would be underestimated.

He quickly became one of the stars for Vicksburg, but his success came so late that colleges barely knew he existed. He ended up at Hinds Community College, just outside of Jackson, where he played as a freshman before he said he was kicked off the team following a scuffle with a campus security guard.

Then it was back to Vicksburg, where Butler worked part time at the fast-food restaurant Popeyes to earn some extra money while he took classes at nearby Alcorn State University. Eventually, he earned his way back onto the Hinds football team and then played two seasons at West Alabama, a NCAA Division II school.

“As I look back now, I kind of enjoyed the getting back on track,” Butler said. “I had a lot of doubters.”

Not anymore. Vicksburg’s principal Deowarski McDonald, who was a teacher and assistant principal when Butler attended, said the story can inspire. On Wednesday afternoon, a handful of students were working on building a giant football that would be part of a float during the parade.

“What you see is what you get with Malcolm,” McDonald said. “He’s very humble, very respectful, mild-mannered and considerate. That’s why I think people are so interested in knowing more about him.”

McDonald said Butler had an interest in his hometown school long before he became a Super Bowl hero. During the Patriots’ bye week, Butler returned to talk to the football team and offer a few words of encouragement.

Flaggs said it’s one of the many reasons Butler will be presented with a key to the city.

“How many people can say I want to be an NFL player while wearing a Popeyes uniform, and then actually become the Super Bowl hero?” Flaggs said. “That’s phenomenal. That won’t happen again in our lifetime.”

_____

Follow David Brandt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/davidbrandtAP

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Sale of Coliseum to African American Developers Moves Toward Completion

The deal includes the sale of the Oakland Arena to an unidentified third-party buyer for no less than $100 million, which Bobbitt said was one of the most important aspects of the site’s future redevelopment.

Published

2 weeks ago

June 16, 2026

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The deal includes the sale of the Oakland Arena to an unidentified third-party buyer for no less than $100 million, which Bobbitt said was one of the most important aspects of the site’s future redevelopment.

‘This is on the precipice of actually occurring,’ said Ray Bobbitt, buyers’ representative

By Post Staff

After many months of complex negotiations, the Oakland Coliseum development deal is finally nearing an agreement that will open the way for new owners – the African Americans Sports and Entertainment Group (AASEG) – to revitalize the sports complex and the Hegenberger Corridor in East Oakland.

On May 28, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a non-binding agreement to dispose of the County’s portion of the complex for $115 million in a deal with AASEG, with a closing date set for June 30.

“People are seeing that this is on the precipice of actually occurring,” said Ray Bobbitt, founder of the AASEG and an East Oakland native. “People feel that this needs to happen for Oakland, for East Oakland in particular,” Bobbitt said, as reported in the East Bay Times.

The agreement would transfer ownership of the 112-acre Coliseum complex property, which was owned 50-50 by Alameda County and the City of Oakland, to Oakland Acquisition Company, which is AASEG’s real estate wing.

The County’s approval marks an important step in the sale of the property, even though concerns about environmental liability remain. Under the terms of the non-binding agreement, the county will pay $115 million to Coliseum Way Partners, the corporate entity of the Oakland Athletics that had previously purchased the county’s half of the property for $85 million.

AASEG will then pay $115 million to the County in three annual payments, with 5% annual interest paid on any outstanding balance, according to the term sheet.

AASEG already negotiated a purchase of the city’s half of the property for $125 million in 2025, awaiting the sale of the county’s half.

A strong supporter of the sale, Supervisor Nate Miley said he was not “breaking out the champagne” until the sale was final. This is not perfect, but it is good.

“It’s good because the County ends up with more money,” Miley continued. “It’s good because an African American team takes ownership of the property, and they’ve got a lot of potential in terms of what they want to do with the property.”

A remaining disagreement between Alameda County and the AASEG involves environmental concerns.

AASEG wanted a “carve-out” for environmental concerns so that it would not face liability for the release of groundwater into San Francisco Bay without a permit. Obtaining a permit could be time-consuming and expensive, requiring the need for consultants, studies, and an oversight process by the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board.

County supervisors unanimously supported the non-binding agreement without the carve-out, though Bobbitt said delaying or excluding the carve-out creates timing risks for the project.

“The motion is to accept the terms as presented, excluding the carve-out,” Board of Supervisors President David Haubert said. “Noting that it’s a non-binding term sheet and terms can always be discussed going forward. It’s been pointed out that that could affect the deal, timing, which we’ve been at this for nine years, but what’s a little more time?”

“The arena represents an anchor of the site,” said Babbitt. “This arena … has become a pop culture mecca, and the opportunity to enhance that and expand that is critical to the overall process.”

Speaking at the Board of Supervisors meeting, Miley explained the County’s reasoning behind some of the complex negotiations. He asked interim County Counsel Andrea Weddle:

“In layman’s term’s who’s on the hook for the environmental (cleanup)” under the current deal with the Oakland A’s?

“When the county with a former board entered in the deal with the (A’s), we took on all of the environmental obligations,” Miley said. “Since then, we’ve learned a lot more about the environmental conditions of the Coliseum.”

“If we do a deal with Coliseum Way Partners (the A’s), we remain on the hook,” she said. “If we do a deal as we’ve currently structured with OAC (AASEG), we have eliminated some or hopefully all (or) as much as we can of that liability and aligned our deal with the terms of the city.”

Bobbitt, despite his concerns, supported the nonbinding agreement. He said the public has waited nearly a decade to come to this point.

“The community support has been overwhelming,” he said. “We’ve used a lot of P-words: patience, perseverance, persistence. And we’ve just had to do it, and we understand how complex this has been.”

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Seth Curry Makes Impressive Debut with the Golden State Warriors

Seth looked comfortable in his new uniform, seamlessly fitting into the Warriors’ offensive and defensive system. He finished the night with an impressive 14 points, becoming one of the team’s top scorers for the game. Seth’s points came in a variety of ways – floaters, spot-up three-pointers, mid-range jumpers, and a handful of aggressive drives that kept the Oklahoma City Thunder defense on its heels.

Published

7 months ago

December 4, 2025

Oakland Post

Seth Curry is a point guard on the GSW team.Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

Tuesday night was anything but ordinary for fans in San Francisco as Seth Curry made his highly anticipated debut as a new member of the Golden State Warriors. Seth didn’t disappoint, delivering a performance that not only showcased his scoring ability but also demonstrated his added value to the team.

At 35, the 12-year NBA veteran on Monday signed a contract to play with the Warriors for the rest of the season.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening came before Seth even scored his first points. As he checked into the game, the Chase Center erupted into applause, with fans rising to their feet to give the newest Warrior a standing ovation.

The crowd’s reaction was a testament not only to Seth’s reputation as a sharpshooter but also to the excitement he brings to the Warriors. It was clear that fans quickly embraced Seth as one of their own, eager to see what he could bring to the team’s championship aspirations.

Warriors’ superstar Steph Curry – Seth’s brother – did not play due to an injury. One could only imagine what it would be like if the Curry brothers were on the court together. Magic in the making.

Seth’s debut proved to be a turning point for the Warriors. Not only did he contribute on the scoreboard, but he also brought a sense of confidence and composure to the floor.

While their loss last night, OKC 124 – GSW 112, Seth’s impact was a game-changer and there’s more yet to come. Beyond statistics, it was clear that Seth’s presence elevated the team’s performance, giving the Warriors a new force as they look to make a deep playoff run.

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Barbara Lee

WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries Kick Off Season with Community Programs in Oakland

“The Golden State Valkyries are more than a team—they’re a movement,” said Oakland Interim-Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “Their touchdown in Oakland marks a new era of opportunity, inspiration, and equity in sports. This partnership reflects our city’s deep commitment to uplifting women, investing in youth, and building a community where every dream has a place to grow. We’re proud to welcome the Valkyries to The Town.”

Published

1 year ago

May 18, 2025

Oakland Post

The Valkyries came to Oakland City Hall with a “Hoopbus.” Present were (from left to right): City Councilmembers Noel Gallo, Rebecca Kaplan, Zac Unger and Rowena Brown; Oakland Mayor-elect Barbara Lee, Valkyries President Jess Smith, a Valkyries team representative and Deputy Mayor LaNiece Jones. Photo courtesy Rebecca Kaplan’s office.

Team installs new nets at playgrounds, holds flag-raisings at City Halls in Oakland and S.F.

Special to The Post

The Golden State Valkyries brought the excitement of their inaugural season to every corner of the Bay Area with a full slate of community celebrations leading up to their historic home-opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday.

The week featured flag-raising ceremonies at city halls in Oakland and San Francisco, three “Violet Net” installation days at Oakland parks to encourage basketball play, fun “Hoopbus” takeovers at multiple schools presented by Kaiser Permanente, and player appearances.

In total, 90 violet nets were installed on 45 basketball courts across 34 public parks throughout Oakland this week. A list of the parks receiving violet nets can be found at Valkyries.com.

About the Golden State Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA affiliate of the seven-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, were announced as the 13th WNBA franchise on Oct. 5, 2023. According to Norse mythology, Valkyries are a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike.

This brand is Golden State’s modern interpretation of Valkyries: strong, bold, and fierce. Tipping off during the 2025 WNBA season, the team is headquartered in Oakland and will play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco. For Golden State Valkyries’ assets, including team logos, visit valkyries.com.