Telling his story: Former Green Bay Packer LeRoy Butler speaks to inmates.

AMANDA BECKER/STAR-TIMES

Former Green Bay Packer LeRoy Butler spoke to inmates in the Reentry Program at New Lisbon Correctional Institution Monday morning. Butler spoke about his life and over coming struggles to achieve his dreams.

By Amanda Becker
Star-Times

Ever since he was eight-years-old, former Green Bay Packer LeRoy Butler said he wanted to be a professional football player.

Monday morning, Butler spoke to inmates at the New Lisbon Correctional Institution (NLCI) about his life and good decision making.

"Since I was a young boy, I've always felt that the Lord has positioned me to do great things," Butler said. "That's why it's important for me to share my story and be a positive influence for people."

Struggles to overcome

Born and raised in Jacksonville, FL., Butler, 39, said he faced many obstacles as a child.

When he was four-years- old, he said he began having some physical problems with his feet and was forced to wear leg braces and use a wheelchair.

"It was hard," Butler said. "I would see kids running and jumping and I couldn't do that."

As a young boy, when Butler told his mother he wanted to become a professional football player, he said she always believed in him.

"My mom, and also my role model, told me that I would have to live my life a certain way and to be proud of the name on the back of my jersey."

Standing tall

A few years later, Butler said his sister was coming down the stairs to go to her prom, when she accidentally bumped into him in his wheelchair.

Butler said he fell to the floor and his leg braces broke.

"That's when I stood up and realized I could stand without my braces," Butler said. "I was jumping up and down and giving my brothers high fives."

In junior high, Butler started playing football and he said he was "nothing special" on the field. Then in high school, Butler said he noticed he was getting better.

As high school came to an end, Butler received a football scholarship from Florida State University.

"I was the first person in my family to go to college," Butler said. "I wanted to make a statement for my family."

Signing with the Packers

Throughout his college career, Butler said he continued to advance in football and on April 30, 1990, he was selected by the Green Bay Packers during the NFL draft.

Butler said he was at home during the draft and his mother got cable TV and a telephone to keep him informed throughout the draft.

Butler played his entire career with the Packers until 2001, and earned a Superbowl ring after the 1996 season.

In 2007, Butler was named part of the Florida High School Association All-Century Team, which selected the top 33 players of the past 100 years of Florida high school football.

After retiring from professional football, Butler created the LeRoy Butler Foundation for Breast Cancer.

His foundation has raised more than $300,000 through personal appearances, presentations and sales from his two books.

Butler said the money is used for research, financial assistance, treatment costs and public education on breast cancer.

"The money raised directly goes to help women with breast cancer," Butler said.

Spreading his story

Butler asked to speak to the inmates after Marie King, a social worker at the institution, told him about the Reentry Program at NLCI.

The Reentry Program prepares inmates for their release from the institution and their reentry into the community.

After Butler expressed his interest in the institution, King and Unit Supervisor at NLCI, Joe Thyne, coordinated the event.

Butler spoke to inmates about Brett Farve joining the team, meeting Reggie White and inventing the Lambeau Leap, but Butler said the real reason he spoke at NLCI was to share his story and make a difference in their lives.

Butler said he grew up in an area surrounded by crime and he said he made the decision to only hang out with people who were positive thinkers.

He told the inmates in the Reentry Program that it is important to learn from their mistakes after they are released from the institution.

"When you leave and hear the door slam, just tell yourself that you are never coming back," Butler said.

He said when inmates are released there is a lot of bad waiting for them, but he encouraged them to go the other way and be a part of the good.

"I've gotten so much joy from talking with the inmates," Butler said. "That's why I'm here ... to tell my story and make a difference."