Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
NFL
© St. Petersburg Times, published April 12, 2003
SAN DIEGO -- John Butler, who helped build Buffalo's Super Bowl teams of the 1990s before becoming general manager of the Chargers, died of cancer Friday. He was 56.
Mr. Butler died of lymphoma, his wife, Alice, said. He was diagnosed with lung cancer on July 4, but that disease was in remission after his final chemotherapy treatment in late January, she said.
Mr. Butler began feeling ill again in late February and doctors discovered lymphoma in his stomach, which spread to his liver, pancreas, lungs and intestines.
"We were sure he had it beat," Alice said, referring to his cancer.
"When he was feeling ill again he said, 'Sometimes you just underestimate the strength of your opponent."'
Mr. Butler was a tough, sometimes gruff ex-Marine who was considered one of the league's best talent evaluators. Hospitalized since March 13, he remained passionate about his job until the end.
"He was the consummate football guy," said Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer, who spent time with Mr. Butler on Tuesday and Wednesday. "Football, after his family, was the thing that was most important to him. We lost a giant here, both literally and figuratively."
Mr. Butler's first NFL job was as a scout for the Chargers in 1985.
He joined the Bills in 1987 as the personnel director, then became the team's general manager in 1993. He was in Buffalo's front office for all of its record four straight trips to the Super Bowl from 1991-94. The Bills lost them all.
During his tenure, the Bills went to the playoffs 10 times and had a record of 140-83.
Mr. Butler built the foundation for San Diego's offense by drafting running back LaDainian Tomlinson and quarterback Drew Brees. San Diego was 5-11 and 8-8 in Mr. Butler's two seasons.
If he had what Smith has, the league's career rushing record, Dorsett said he may have headed for retirement instead.
Smith, cut by the Cowboys after breaking Walter Payton's career mark last season, said he can gain at least 1,200 yards this season for the Cardinals. Dorsett said Smith did not have to pad the record.
"If I had had the career that Emmitt Smith has had, I probably would have done it differently," Dorsett said. "You reflect back on all the things you've been involved in with one franchise, and all of a sudden that's being removed, and I actually shed a tear."
Dorsett, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, played 11 seasons with Dallas from 1977-87. He was traded to Denver before the 1988 season and spent one season there before retiring with 12,739 yards, trailing only Payton's 16,726. Dorsett still ranks fifth, behind Smith, Payton, Barry Sanders and Eric Dickerson.
Dorsett said Smith, who turns 34 in May, still has the ability to be a top running back in Arizona, but he wonders how much talent he will have around him.
"Emmitt Smith is a warrior," Dorsett said. "But all the components have to be in place for anyone to be a difference-maker in the NFL, and I don't know that that's there."
BENGALS: Corey Dillon is skipping voluntary workouts, which represent coach Marvin Lewis' first chance to meet with his entire team. Lewis spoke with the running back several times and expected him not to attend.
DOLPHINS: The team, which has not returned a kickoff for a touchdown since 1989, tried to bolster its special teams by signing returner Charlie Rogers to a one-year, $555,000 contract.
Last season with Buffalo, Rogers averaged 20 yards on kickoff returns, with a 90-yard touchdown against Minnesota, and averaged 5.3 on punt returns.
LIONS: Unrestricted free agent Earl Holmes finalized a three-year deal.
The 6-2, 242-pound linebacker, who agreed to the deal on Wednesday, is entering his eighth season and led the Browns with 150 tackles last season.