Butler Signs with NFL
August 1, 2008 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz News Release
OKLAHOMA CITY - To many, Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz Head Coach Sparky McEwen is known as a direct pipeline for advancement to the next level, a goal held personally by McEwen and encouraged by the Yard Dawgz organization.
The most recent Yard Dawg to advance to the next level is OL Kelly Butler (6'8, 317). Butler joined the Yard Dawgz in Week 8 and was a critical component of McEwen's offense. This week he will report for training camp for the National Football League's Arizona Cardinals.
"The entire Yard Dawgz organization is very excited for Kelly and his family," commented McEwen. "The passion, leadership, and hard work exemplified on the field for the Yard Dawgz this year has truly awarded Kelly the opportunity of a lifetime."
Butler has also been a large part of the Yard Dawgz community relations efforts. "Kelly has been a model player both on and off the field," said Yard Dawgz General Manager Christie Cook. Butler participated in community service projects such as Habitat for Humanity, the Oklahoma Blood Institute blood drive, and visits to the VA Hospital. Adds Cook, "While in Oklahoma City, Kelly has also been committed to local youth by providing them with the opportunity to experience Yard Dawgz arena football through his Butler Pound Puppy ticket donations."
After his college career at Purdue University, Butler was a sixth round draft pick by the NFL's Detroit Lions in 2004. With the Lions in 2005, Butler earned the starting right tackle spot and started all 16 games. Butler was also with the NFL's Cleveland Browns, where he played 7 games in 2006 before eventually being released in October 2007.
The following is a list of players McEwen has coached that are or have been in the NFL and/or the Arena Football League. Players current on active rosters are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Players with NFL experience
OL *Kelly Butler, Arizona Cardinals
WR *Carlton Brewster, Cleveland Browns
LB *Terna Nande, San Diego Chargers
T *Reuben Riley, Miami Dolphins
WR Timon Marshall, Chicago Bears
CB Gana Joseph, Green Bay Packers
Players with AFL experience
WR *Timon Marshall, LA Avengers
WR *Terril Shaw, Tampa Bay Storm
DL *Bryant Shaw, Cleveland Gladiators
K *Peter Martinez, Kansas City Brigade
LB *Johnnie Balous, Orlando Predators
DB Jason Waters, Grand Rapids Rampage
McEwen was with the Yard Dawgz in 2004 as the Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator. The following season he was named as the Head Coach for the AFL's Grand Rapids Rampage, a position he held for three seasons (2005-2007). When he left Oklahoma City, McEwen invited six Yard Dawgz to training camp with the Rampage. Those players included Timon Marshall, James Landers, Drew Mitchell, Johnnie Balous, Gana Joseph, and Peter Martinez.
McEwen recently announced that he would return to Oklahoma City to coach the Yard Dawgz next season and is "committed to winning a championship next year".
The Yard Dawgz will hold several tryouts in the coming months to look for possible players for the 2009 season. Tryout information will be announced and posted on the Yard Dawgz official website, www.okcyarddawgz.com.
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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
