Sheila Alldredge
January 22, 2008
Lillie Reed
January 24, 2008
David Butler held his head high after South Terrebonne’s 14-12 win over Crowley in the 1991 state championship.
But during the game, the running back’s head was in a bucket.
“I was throwing up,” he said. “I was really sick. I guess it was because of nerves.”
Nevertheless, he fought through pangs of nausea and scored the Gators’ two touchdowns – one on a long run and the other on a long reception – to cap off a sterling senior campaign that saw him amass more than 1,700 yards rushing.
These days, the 34-year-old Terrebonne Parish resident cares about numbers of a different kind as a sales representative for Trapp Chevrolet in Houma.
“I always wanted to get into sales to see if I could be successful at it,” explained Butler, who lives with sons Tristin (6 years old) and Chasten (4). “I am a people person, so I guess taking this job is a personality type of thing.”
On the gridiron, however, it was always more of a blinding speed thing.
During his playing days, Butler was almost as fast as the cars he currently peddles. His 4.21 speed in the 40 manifested itself in the 24 touchdowns he scored during his final season of prep football, which earned him all-district, all-region, all-state and all-American accolades.
When it came to pigskin, Butler was essentially all-everything.
“David always had a ton of talent,” said South Terrebonne coach Richard Curlin, “and we were really fortunate to surround him with talented individuals during his senior season.”
Butler received attention from Tennessee, Nebraska, Alabama and Clemson, but all of those schools took a backseat to the university he really wanted to attend.
“Some people from LSU called and said they had a scholarship available,” Butler said. “I went up and visited the campus. Even though I was still supposed to visit Alabama the following week, I signed (a letter of intent) right on (then coach) Curley Hallman’s desk.”
Butler became a Tiger in 1992, where he played under both Hallman and Hallman’s successor, Gerry DiNardo.
At 5-foot-10, 200 pounds, Butler played defensive back and was a regular on special teams.
“I’d have to say my sophomore season was the low point of my (collegiate) career because our team only won two games,” he said. “But the high point was when we won the Peach Bowl in 1996.”
That euphoric feeling, of course, was recently trumped by the elation experienced when the Tigers defeated Ohio State, 38-24, to capture the BCS National Championship on Jan. 7.
Butler traveled to the game in a limo with a couple of close friends and attended a tailgate party after it concluded.
“We weren’t even a block from the Superdome when some fans recognized us as former players and invited us to their party,” he said. “Just to be part of the team and to celebrate their victory – I don’t even have words for it. It’s just lovely. It feels damn good to be a Tiger!”
Š As well as a Gator, something Butler used to emanate on a regular basis as a member of the program’s roster.
“David was the kind of kid who was always in a great mood,” Curlin said. “He was one of those kids that was always upbeat in practice. Everyone always liked David.”
And for Butler, the feeling was always mutual.
“I feel that I have been blessed with family and friends that have enabled me to achieve high levels of success,” he said. “If I didn’t have such great support, I don’t know where my life would be. At this point, I feel like I am the luckiest man alive and want to thank every person who had anything to do with my life.”
David Butler enjoyed some great football seasons as a member of the South Terrebonne Gators and LSU Tigers. (Photo by CHRIS SCARNATI
- Tri-Parish Times)
