Keith Butler
Class of 1996
Keith Butler’s football journey began on the playgrounds and practice fields of Huntsville and eventually carried him to a long career in the National Football League and coaching ranks.
Butler, a 2025 inductee into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, first showed his athletic promise while playing youth football at Terry Heights Elementary School and later at Chapman Middle School. By the time he reached Lee High School, he had developed into one of the Tennessee Valley’s top defensive players under coach Keith Wilson.
At Lee, Butler earned All-City honors in 1972 and 1973 and was named All–Tennessee Valley in 1973, establishing himself as one of the area’s premier linebackers.
After graduating, Butler signed a football scholarship with Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis). There he continued to build an outstanding collegiate career. Butler was named to the All-Independent Team three consecutive years (1975–1977) and capped his senior season with All-American honors in 1977. His teammates voted him Most Valuable Player that same year.
Butler’s collegiate success led to the Seattle Seahawks selecting him in the second round of the 1978 NFL Draft. He immediately made an impact at the professional level, earning a place on the NFL All-Rookie Team in 1978.
Over the course of a 10-year career with the Seahawks, Butler became one of the most dependable defensive players in franchise history. By the end of his career, he ranked as the second-leading tackler in Seattle Seahawks history, reflecting his consistency and leadership on defense.
Following his playing days, Butler transitioned into coaching, returning to Memphis State in 1989 as special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach, continuing his lifelong connection to the game.
From youth football in Huntsville to All-American honors in college and a decade in the NFL, Keith Butler built a career defined by toughness, discipline, and dedication.
Disclaimer: This biographical feature was prepared with the assistance of artificial intelligence and is based on materials provided by the Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame and related sources. While care was taken to ensure accuracy, readers are encouraged to consult official Hall of Fame records and other primary sources for verification.
