When cornerback Malcolm Butler made the game-saving play in the New England Patriots' Super Bowl victory to cap the 2014 NFL season, he was a virtually unknown rookie from West Alabama. Today, he's a Pro Bowler.
The NFL released the Pro Bowl selections for the 2015 season on Tuesday night, and Butler made the cut in his first season as a starter for New England.
Butler was one of four players with Alabama football roots to earn Pro Bowl recognition. The other state players were Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and Denver Broncos outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware.