1) Victor Butler, a 6-2, 245 pound native of Los Angeles, California, joins the Argonauts with over seven years of experience in the NFL, with stops in Arizona, Dallas, Indianapolis, New Orleans, and New York. During his NFL career, Butler crossed paths with the following current Argos players: Akwasi Owusu-Ansah (DAL – 2010-12, NOR – 2013), Joe Morgan (NOR – 2013), Rod Sweeting (NOR – 2013) and Eric Martin (NOR – 2013).
2) Butler was a fourth-round (110th overall) pick of the Dallas Cowboys in the 2009 NFL Draft. The outside linebacker played all four seasons of his rookie contract with the ‘Boys, missing just one contest in that time period. Playing alongside a likely future NFL Hall-of-Famer in Demarcus Ware, Butler racked up 89 tackles, 11 sacks and four forced fumbles during his time in Arlington.
3) During his senior season at Oregon State, Butler set a number of school records, tying both the single-game mark for sacks (4.0 in the 2008 Sun Bowl) and single-season sacks record (12.0) while setting the mark for most tackles for a loss in a single season (21.5). He added 65 tackles and four forced fumbles to earn recognition as first-team All-Pac 10 in his final campaign with the Beavers. Butler finished his collegiate career ranked second in school history in sacks (26.0) and fourth in school history in tackles for a loss (39.5).
4) Butler was not always a linebacker. In fact, he only made the transition to defensive end during his senior year at Eisenhower High School in Rialto, California, where he previously played wide receiver and safety while also returning kicks. Playing alongside current New York Jets offensive tackle Ryan Clady, he was twice selected All-league and was named All-county during his senior year.
5) Butler was recruited by Oregon State and drafted by the Dallas Cowboys as a defensive end before being converted to the outside linebacker position in Wade Phillips’ 3-4 system in Dallas. Weighing 245 pounds, Butler likely projects to move back to the defensive end position in the CFL.