Science Hill High School

Larry Butler

Larry Butler 1969

When he was a boy, Larry Butler felt privileged to retrieve balls while Science Hill's Steve Spurrier worked on his punting, passing and kicking at Old Kiwanis Park. Not in his wildest dreams could he have foreseen Spurrier calling him some 20 years later to try and coax him out of retirement.

But that's the way it worked out for Butler, thanks to a passion that extracted every ounce of talent from his ability. Butler began as a center and moved to tackle before he left Science Hill. Snake Evans' Hilltoppers went a combined 18-1-2 during his junior and senior seasons.

Butler then lettered four years at Appalachian State despite initially reporting as a 16-year-old.

"I was just a kid when I got there," Butler said, "and all of the sudden I'm going against Vietnam vets."

He was team captain for two seasons, started 33 consecutive games and was named the Mountaineers' top lineman three straight years, though his career began roughly. His first game as a true freshman was at East Tennessee State. ASU led by two scores with about four minutes left when Butler snapped the ball over the punter's head to cost App a safety. ETSU took the ensuing punt and marched for the winning score.

Butler said he didn't have family at the game, but had his extended family of Science Hill assistants.

"My first college game -- in my hometown -- and I cost us the game," Butler said. "I cried like a baby. I stayed on the bus when they ate the team meal after the game. And that was the season John Robert Bell's team went on to beat Terry Bradshaw."

He began his 11-year pro career with the Canadian Football League's Calgary Stampeders in '73, and played for the World Football League's New York Stars in '74, which became the Charlotte Hornets in '75.

Butler was with the Green Bay Packers through the preseason in 1976, and on the reserve squad through the first two games. GM Bart Starr apparently thought enough of him to pay him for the entire season despite releasing him.

Butler returned to Canada to play with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1976-80) and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1981-82). He was voted the CFL's top lineman six straight years (1976-81) while blocking for guys like CFL MVP Dieter Brock, who eventually helped the Los Angeles Rams to the NFC championship game.

Butler retired in '83. He said Spurrier's USFL Tampa Bay Bandits lost a couple of linemen to injuries and Butler got a call. He said he decided against playing another year because the Bandits couldn't guarantee all of a contract.

It concluded a most improbable career for Butler, who came up finding father figures in people like Science Hill assistant coaches Bob Evans and Paul Brewster.

“I can’t tell you how much those guys meant to me,” said Butler, who lives in Charlotte and was head coach at Charlotte Christian four years.

Evans, Butler's offensive line coach, remembers how Butler would be the lone 'Topper still running and lifting weights after brutal practice sessions had finally concluded.

"Larry had his motor going all of the time," Evans said. "His desire to play and improve was just outstanding. He was the first one in the huddle and the first out.

"Larry looked you right in the eye, and what he told you, you could believe. He never complained about practice, never complained about the weather. He just bowed his neck and went forward."