Malcolm Butler: Patriots 'gave up on me' with benching

(Warning: Story contains coarse language)

To the surprise of almost everybody, the New England Patriots benched cornerback Malcolm Butler when the defense was on the field and only played him with special teams during Super Bowl LII.

Butler, who became famous for the game-sealing interception in Super Bowl XLIX, was sick at the beginning of the week, but did not appear on the Patriots' final injury report.

The veteran defender was also confused as to why he was left on the bench against the Philadelphia Eagles.

"They gave up on me. F---. It is what it is," Butler told ESPN's Mike Reiss after the game.

Butler added, "I don't know what it was. I guess I wasn't playing good or they didn't feel comfortable. I don't know, but I could have changed that game."

Without Butler on the field, the Patriots allowed Nick Foles to throw for 373 yards and three touchdowns on his way to winning MVP honors.

During the broadcast, head coach Bill Belichick told Michelle Tafoya of NBC that the move was a coach's decision, adding: "I made the decisions that give us the best chance to win."

Butler is an unrestricted free agent.