Patriots' Malcolm Butler still puts pants on one leg at a time, but everything else is different

HOUSTON – NFL players like to say it's all about the ring, but in the moments after Super Bowl XLIX Malcolm Butler was more concerned with his pants.

"Can y'all please back up and let me get dressed?" he pleaded. "What is going on?"

Butler had cried on the field. Now he was confused by the waves of reporters asking him questions. He had played only two years of high school football before attending little West Alabama. He had gone undrafted and had signed with the New England Patriots after a post-draft workout.

On Feb. 1, 2015, in Super Bowl XLIX, the rookie cornerback replaced struggling starter Kyle Arrington in the second half. Butler would make the interception at the goal line that gave the Patriots a 28-24 victory over Seattle in Glendale, Ariz. Without that play, the Patriots today would be trying to win their first Super Bowl since the end of the 2004 season.

The play made Butler famous, revealed the methodology of Bill Belichick's coaching and highlighted the indecisiveness that cost the Seahawks a second straight title.

"That play is going to be there forever," Butler said.

Here's how it came to be:

They practiced defending a "pick" play in anticipation of the Seahawks using their biggest receiver, Jermaine Kearse, to bump or shield a cornerback to clear a path for a fellow receiver.

Butler allowed a touchdown on the play in practice. Belichick pulled him aside and explained that in a game he would have to avoid the pick and rush to the anticipated point of completion.

Butler had made two brilliant plays in the second half to deny Kearse. With the score 28-24 with 1:14 remaining in the game, Butler broke up another long pass to Kearse, but the ball landed on him as he lay on the turf for a 33-yard gain.

Seattle had a first-and-goal at the 5 with 1:06 remaining and called timeout. Butler went to the sideline and ripped off his chinstrap in frustration. Seattle's Marshawn Lynch took a handoff and plunged inside the 1. Only a stunning, diving tackle by Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower prevented a touchdown.

Seattle had one timeout remaining. The Patriots had two. Patriots assistant coaches expected Belichick to use one of his so that if Seattle took the lead New England would have time to drive.

Belichick noticed and waited. Finally, he silenced his assistants by letting the clock run and saying into his headset, "Just play goal line."

Seattle had three receivers in the huddle. For the first time all season, the Patriots would play goal line with three cornerbacks and no safeties. Butler ran back onto the field.

Fewer than 40 seconds remained when Seattle broke the huddle. Kearse lined up to the right and powerhouse Patriots cornerback Brandon Browner stood in front of him.

Browner told Butler to watch for a pick. Butler lined up 4 yards deep, expecting another Lynch run.

"Then I saw the receiver take a jab step," Butler said this week. "So I knew it was a pass."

"I go on the internet and look at that play," Butler said. "I'm always remembering it. One of my biggest moments in life."

Butler has become an outstanding player. He was reminded this week that after his biggest moment he begged for room to get dressed.

"I was just a rookie," he said. "I never expected that much attention or being in the spotlight like that. It was very different.

"I knew I did something amazing. It's like a blur. Each day something comes up that I forgot that I did. It all is coming back to me, here and there."