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Butler wraps up 12-year career a lifelong Packer
Compiled from Times wires
© St. Petersburg Times, published July 19, 2002
Butler wraps up 12-year career a lifelong Packer
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Safety LeRoy Butler ended his 12-year career with the Packers on Thursday, proud that he's one of the few to play his entire career with one team.
"Just knowing I can retire today and all my football cards are that green-and-white jersey, that is priceless," he said. "This is a celebration for me. I don't want anybody to be sad, I want people to be happy. You have not seen the last of LeRoy Butler."
Butler, who helped lead the Packers to Super Bowls after the 1996 and 1997 seasons, invented the "Lambeau Leap," the jump into the stands after touchdowns. He said the shoulder he injured in November hasn't healed fast enough for him to be ready for the season opener Sept. 8.
Butler, who turns 34 today, was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time All-Pro. He recently agreed to a $1.5-million pay cut, his second significant salary reduction, to help the team's salary-cap situation.
RECORDS CONFIDENTIAL: Attorneys for Korey Stringer's widow are not entitled to access other Vikings players medical records unless the players consent because the records are protected by doctor-patient confidentiality, a judge in Minneapolis ruled. Attorneys asked Hennepin County District Judge Gary Larson to order the Vikings to turn over medical records of players who suffered heat-related illnesses during the past 40 years so they could use them in their wrongful death lawsuit against the team and other defendants.
CB SUSPENDED: Saints cornerback Dale Carter has been suspended indefinitely by the NFL for failing a league-administered drug test, CBS SportsLine.com reported. Carter was suspended for 11/2 years in April 2000 for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy.
DOLPHIN CHARGED: Linebacker Derrick Rodgers kicked and punched his wife and hit her male dining companion with a metal chair at a South Beach restaurant, police said. Rodgers was charged with aggravated battery, simple battery and resisting arrest without violence.
BROWNS: Florida linebacker Andra Davis, the team's fifth-round draft pick, signed a three-year deal.
LIONS: Defensive tackle Shaun Rogers will miss 2-3 weeks of training camp after arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle.
RAIDERS: First-round pick Napoleon Harris, a linebacker from Northwestern, signed a six-year, $7-million contract.
STEELERS: Second-round pick Antwaan Randle El, the former Indiana quarterback who is being converted into a receiver, agreed to a $2.29-million, four-year deal.
ARENA LEAGUE: Aaron Garcia threw a 12-yard touchdown to Mike Furrey in overtime as New York beat host Toronto 66-65. The Phantoms (5-9) dropped out of playoff contention and helped the Tampa Bay Storm (5-8) stay in playoff contention.