CFL Toronto Argonauts

Argonauts Sign Quarterback Rocky Butler

July 16, 2007 - Canadian Football League (CFL)
Toronto Argonauts News Release


Mississauga - The Toronto Argonauts Football Club is pleased to announce that QB Ian 'Rocky' Butler has signed a practice roster agreement with the club.

Butler is most notable for his time as one of the top backups in the CFL with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He played five seasons in Regina and dressed in 73 games, starting two. Butler became renowned throughout the province when he rushed for three touchdowns in his first CFL start against Winnipeg in 2002. He was named CFL Offensive Player of the Week for his heroics. In five CFL seasons, he has completed 80 of 156 passes for 1,133 yards, 5 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. He has also rushed 56 times for 319 yards and 5 touchdowns.

As a senior at Hofstra, he completed 61.5% of his passes for 3,111 yards and 30 touchdowns. Bulter led his team to a 9-2-0 regular season record and was second in voting for the Walter Payton Award as the nation's best Division 1-AA played in 2001.

Ian 'Rocky' Butler

Quarterback

5'11", 203 lbs.

Born: August 7, 1979

Allentown, Pennsylvania

1st Year Argos / 6th Year CFL

Import

Acquired: Signed as a free agent with the Toronto Argonauts on July 16, 2007.

2007: Acquired by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in a trade with the Saskatchewan Roughriders along with second round (OL Jordan Rempel) and fifth round (DB Nick Kordic) picks in the 2007 CFL Canadian Draft on January 31. In exchange, the Ticats sent non-import offensive lineman Wayne Smith, import wide receiver DJ Flick and the Ticats' second round draft pick (WR Dave McKoy) in the 2007 CFL Draft...Attended training camp with Hamilton and released on June 27.

2006: Played 16 games with Saskatchewan...Recorded 613 yards on 38 completions with five touchdowns and only one interception, also added 115 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown primarily as a backup for Saskatchewan.

2005: Dressed in all 18 regular season games for the Roughriders...Dressed in East Semi-Final vs Montreal...Spent season as third string quarterback.

2004: Dressed in 18 regular season games for Saskatchewan starting one...Entered game in first quarter of week 1 after injury to starter Nealon Greene and completed 13 of 28 passes for 157 yards...Started at quarterback in week 2 and completed 17 of 36 passes for 158 yards...Played final series in week 9 completing one pass for 17 yards and rushing twice for 11 yards.

2003: Dressed in 8 games as third-string quarterback...Placed on injured list in week nine...Spent remainder of season on injured list...Entered game in fourth quarter of week 5...Completed one pass for 18 yards and rushed twice for 29 yards

2002: Dressed in 11 games and started one game at quarterback...Added to practice roster for first 7 weeks of season...Made CFL debut in week 8...Made first career CFL start in week 10 against Winnipeg and completed 9 of 15 passes for 155 yards. Also rushed for 63 yards and three touchdowns...Named CFL Offensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career...Dressed as a backup quarterback in East Semi-Final vs Toronto.

College: Spent four seasons at Hofstra University (1998-2001)...Started two seasons at quarterback and completed 206-of-335 passes for 3,111 yards and 30 touchdowns as a senior. Also rushed 115 times for 453 yards and 10 TDs while leading Hofstra to a 9-2 regular season record...Finished second in voting for the Walter Payton Award that goes to the nation's best Division I-AA player...Redshirted in 1997.

Personal: Nicknamed 'Rocky', Butler splits his time in the off-season between New York and Pennsylvania. He enjoys playing basketball and video games in his spare time.

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Canadian Football League Stories from July 16, 2007


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