Hakeem Butler. Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Super Bowl champion coach says UFL star belongs in NFL

By Aaron Becker | Last updated Jun 10, 2024 10:22 AM ET

Longtime NFL coach Wade Phillips led the San Antonio Brahmas to a 25-15 victory over the St. Louis Battlehawks for the XFL Conference title on Sunday.

It was an impressive showing by the 76-year-old's team. The Brahams outgained the Battlehawks, 410 yards to 239.

However, after the clock hit zero and San Antonio's players dumped a bucket of Gatorade on Phillips, he made sure to give some praise to one of his opponents.

Phillips was heard speaking with St. Louis wide receiver Hakeem Butler while the TV cameras were rolling, and he told Butler that he's going to do his best to get him back into the NFL.

"I'm going to tell everybody in the NFL that I talk to that you need to be playing," Phillips told Butler. "You deserve it."

"I'm going to tell everyone in the NFL that I talk to, you need to be playing."@XFLBrahmas' HC Wade Phillips shares a heartfelt moment with @410Keem pic.twitter.com/FpxBE7HULO
— United Football League (@TheUFL) June 10, 2024

For Phillips to go out of his way to tell Butler that following a big win speaks volumes.

Phillips has had an impressive coaching career, which has been highlighted by winning Super Bowl 50 as the Denver Broncos defensive coordinator. If he believes Butler should be back in the NFL, who's to argue against him?

Butler began his NFL career as a fourth-round pick by the Cardinals in 2019 but was waived by Arizona a year later after missing his entire rookie season due to a broken hand.

The 28-year-old would go onto have short stints with the Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers but never find his footing in the league.

However, Butler seems to have different plans this year after being named the UFL's first Offensive Player of the Year. He registered 45 catches for a league-high 652 receiving yards and five touchdowns.

As teams around the NFL begin mandatory minicamp this week, Butler will look to receive another chance at the next level, which Phillips and many other believe he rightfully deserves.

Aaron Becker

Aaron Becker is a Pittsburgh-based sports journalist, primarily covering the NFL and college football. He previously worked for the Kansas City Chiefs (2021-22), Pittsburgh Steelers (2019-21) and University of Pittsburgh (2018-19). Becker has a B

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