Jake Butt is no stranger to being doubted. It has been that way for a long time. Even as far back as the fifth grade, he had people thinking there was no way he had a future in sports. That put a chip the size of a skyscraper on his shoulder. He made it his personal mission to prove people wrong. After four years at Michigan, he’d established himself as a future top draft pick in the NFL.
Everything was going well for the standout tight end. Then in the 2017 Orange Bowl, he tore his ACL. It was the second time that had happened to him since high school and would set the tone for his early pro career. The 25-year old opened up about what happened next in an amazing column he wrote personally for The 33rd Team. Despite the setback, Butt was still confident. He’d overcome that type of injury before. By the start of 2018, everything felt back to normal. He was pain-free, moving well, and had his confidence back.
Then ahead of the biggest game of his career? It all went wrong.
“Heading into Week 4, we’re getting ready to play the Chiefs on Monday night. Big rivalry game. Everything’s great. They’ve got me flexed out, running a sluggo, in the red zone. I’m running fades, I’m running digs. And I’m starting to think, “I’m gonna outplay Travis Kelce on Monday night. I’m gonna put myself on the map and prove I truly belong in this league.”
It’s Thursday at practice and I’m running down on a kickoff, 18 months of rehab after my second ACL. And I remember it was a rainy day. The ground was a little soft. I go to make a move and the ground under my left foot just slightly gives way. I just hit the ground right away.”
Butt didn’t take long to realize he’d torn his ACL again. The third time. One can understand the frustration and sadness he felt. The tight end admitted his mind went to a dark place. He managed to rehab again but the knee continued to give him problems through 2019. He openly admitted that these events led to thoughts of quitting. He developed a bit of a drinking problem and wasn’t eating well.
Then something happened. Something that changed his entire perspective.
“After I had the meniscus surgery, I read this book called, Change Your Brain, Change Your Life by Dr. Daniel Amen. I think he’s a neurosurgeon who specializes in the human brain. It kind of changed my life, made me realize how wrong I was for having these thought processes. It introduced me to journaling, meditation. I was doing this thing called neurofeedback – hooking up electrodes to your skull and you’re passively meditating and they’re trying to re-train your brain. I got back on my diet, got more sleep. Just got back into the fire – not looking for excuses or shortcuts for rehab.”
Butt managed to make it into the 2021 offseason healthy again. However, he knew there weren’t going to be free opportunities this time. If he wanted to keep his NFL future alive, he’d have to fight for it. The Chicago Bears offered him a chance to try out during their mandatory minicamps. He seized on it. Word is he made a strong impression. Enough to earn him a contract for training camp next month. His ambitions don’t end there though.
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“It all goes back to proving the doubters wrong. My football career hasn’t come easy, but I welcome the challenges. My next challenge – my number one goal – is to compete and make the Bears roster this season.”
Jake Butt offers Bears a low-risk-high-reward proposition
Signing a tryout contract is dirt cheap from the team perspective. Butt isn’t concerned about the money at this point. He is aiming to prove he belongs in the league. To show people that what he was at Michigan was the real him. Not the unfortunate kid haunted by multiple knee injuries. The Bears have need of more depth at tight end. He’s always had talent. Why not give him a shot?
The worst-case scenario is they cut him and move on. On the other hand, if he stays healthy and plays like the talent he was a few years ago? Then the offense suddenly has another piece for their offensive puzzle. Jake Butt isn’t a one-trick pony. He showed at Michigan he can be equally effective as both a blocker and pass catcher.
That kind of versatility would be most welcome.
Imagine him and Cole Kmet on the field at the same time. Both capable of blocking or getting out into a route for a catch. It would give defenses lots of headaches. If nothing else, this is another fun subplot to monitor in the next two months. Butt is an easy guy to root for after what he’s been through. Here is hoping he accomplishes his mission of cracking the main roster.
