Skip to content

Patriots' Butler kept on sideline to start Super Bowl LII

Joe Robbins / Getty Images Sport / Getty

New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler missed the first quarter of Super Bowl LII against the Philadelphia Eagles for undisclosed reasons.

Butler was battling an illness leading up to the Super Bowl, but was expected to start and was taken off the injury report.

Eric Rowe started in Butler's absence.

The Eagles marched down the field and kicked a field goal to take a 3-0 lead.

New England responded with a field goal of their own but chaos ensued on the following drive. Eagles quarterback Nick Foles connected with Alshon Jeffery on a 34-yard touchdown pass with Butler on the sidelines, giving his team a 9-3 lead.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox