Patriots DT Alan Branch had no idea Malcolm Butler would not play
Yet another New England Patriots player is saying he had no idea that Malcolm Butler would not be playing in the Super Bowl.
Patriots defensive tackle Alan Branch joined “Dale & Holley with Rich Keefe” on WEEI in Boston on Tuesday. During the interview, Branch said he “didn’t know anything” about Butler being benched for the Super Bowl.
Patriots DT Alan Branch to @DaleHolleyWEEI on if he knew Malcolm Butler wouldn't play in Super Bowl LII: "I didn’t know anything, honestly. On our team, gossip doesn’t travel, let’s say that.”
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) February 20, 2018
Branch’s comments seemed to indicate he was genuinely surprised that Butler wasn’t in the game.
DT Alan Branch to @DaleHolleyWEEI on Malcolm Butler/Super Bowl LII: "“I noticed he wasn’t in the game, but then again, you never know the reason for what’s going on at a certain time — in that organization, especially.”
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) February 20, 2018
Butler, who played nearly all of the defensive snaps for the Patriots prior to the Super Bowl, only played on special teams in the team’s loss to the Eagles. Many feel that his presence in the game could have swung things in New England’s favor. Nobody is saying what really happened, though Butler did dismiss reports saying he had been disciplined by the team.
Branch’s comments come a day after Patriots safety Devin McCourty said he knew all week that Butler would not be playing in the big game.
