Players

PRO: The Dallas Cowboys used their second selection of the fourth round (110th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft on Victor Butler. A defensive end in college, Butler continued the Cowboys latest trend of transitioning collegiate rush ends to linebackers in the team’s 3-4 defensive scheme while hoping he would follow in the footsteps of DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer. Slotted behind Ware and Spencer in the linebacker rotation, Butler has provided valuable contributions off the bench while tallying 8.0 sacks, 42 tackles and 16 pressures in his three pro seasons.

TRANSACTION SUMMARY:

4/26/09: Drafted in the fourth round (110th overall) by Dallas.

2011:

• In a reserve role, posted 16 tackles, a career-high tying 3.0 sacks, one tackle for a loss and a career-best nine pressures.

• Notched two special teams tackles in the season opener at the N.Y. Jets (9/11) before adding a quarterback pressure in the overtime win at San Francisco (9/18).

• Finished the home-opening win against Washington (9/26) with his first sack of the season.

• Had three pressures and tied for the team lead with two special teams tackles against Detroit (10/2) then tied for the team lead at New England (10/16) with three special teams tackles.

• Had three tackles, a sack and a pressure in the win at Washington (11/20).

• Added three more tackles and his third sack of the season at Washington (11/24) before posting two tackles playing most of the second half at Tampa Bay (12/17).

2010:

• Totaled 20 tackles, 2.0 sacks, four quarterback pressures and a forced fumble in 15 games played.

• Was seventh on the team in special teams tackles with 10 stops.

• Recorded his first sack of the season along with a forced fumble against Jacksonville (10/31).

• Made a season-high four tackles at Green Bay (11/7).

• Logged his second sack of the season along with three tackles and a quarterback pressure against Washington (12/19).

2009:

• Finished his rookie season with 3.0 sacks - tops amongst Cowboys rookies and good for fifth on the team - in 16 games played with one start.

• Led all Dallas rookies and tied for fourth on the team with 12 special teams tackles.

• In his NFL debut at Tampa Bay (9/13), recorded one tackle on defense and led the team with four special teams stops.

• Had his first career sacks against Carolina (9/28) with two fourth quarter takedowns of Jake Delhomme and forced his first career fumble on the second sack. Also added a tackle on special teams.

• Recovered his first career fumble in the fourth quarter against Seattle (11/1) and added two stops on special teams.

• Filled in for Spencer late in the fourth quarter at Philadelphia (11/8) to record a one-yard sack of Donovan McNabb.

• Notched a season-high two tackles against Washington (11/22).

• Made his first career start in place of Ware, who played in passing situations only, at New Orleans (12/19) and recorded one tackle and his first career pressure.

• In his postseason debut against Philadelphia (1/9/10), rotated in for Spencer and Ware in the fourth quarter but did not record any stats.

COLLEGE:

• Compiled 110 tackles, 26.0 sacks and 39.5 tackles for losses during his collegiate career at Oregon State.

• Left the school second all-time in sacks with 26.0 and fourth all-time in tackles for loss with 39.5.

• Started all 13 games as a senior captain for the Beavers to earn first-team All-Pac 10 selection and post career-highs in tackles (65), sacks (12.0) and tackles for loss (21.5). Also added five quarterback hurries, four forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

• His 21.5 tackles for loss set a school record, while his 12.0 sacks tied a school record.

• Accounted for 10.5 sacks as a junior, the third-highest total in the Pac-10 while playing in 13 games with one start.

• Shared the team’s Most Improved Player (Tim Clark) and shared the “Lunch Bucket Award” (Taylor Kavanaugh).

• Played in all 14 games and accounted for 17 tackles as a sophomore in 2006.

• Of his 17 stops, 5.5 were for losses, including 3.5 sacks.

• One-of-seven true freshmen to play, finishing with three tackles for the season while seeing action in nine games.

PERSONAL:

• Three-year letterwinner as a receiver, safety, defensive end and kick returner at Eisenhower High School in Rialto, Calif.

• Played defensive end only as a senior due to team needs.

• Two-time all-league and all-county as a senior.

• Majored in political science at OSU.

COMMUNITY:

• 2009 Dallas Cowboys Rookie Club.

• 2012 Taste of the NFL: The Ultimate Cowboys Tailgate Party benefiting North Texas Food Bank.

• 2012 Dallas Cowboys U High School Camp.

• Annual team Holiday Hospital Visits.

• Salvation Army Angel Tree Christmas Program.

• Annual Dallas Cowboys Kickoff Luncheon and Cowboys Family Cookbook benefitting Happy Hill Farm.