Bills RT Butler retired after four NFL seasons

At the age 26 and just finishing four NFL seasons, the Buffalo Bills right tackle Brad Butler decided to say goodbye to the football career. As a major in government studies at Virginia, the young man thinks his life should be spent in other area.

“My passion for education, country and community is something that I am ready to devote my full attention to,” he said in a statement released by the team on Thursday. “I believe the best way to pursue these spheres of interest is to step away from the game of football at this point in my life.”

Butler’s NFL career began in 2006 when he was drafted by the Bills in the fifth round. Wearing the No. 60 Bills jersey, Butler started all but two of the 33 games he played for the team, with only two games being played in 2009 as he sustained a serious knee injury in Week 2 while playing against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Bills RT Butler will miss preseason opener for hurt back

Bills right tackle Brad Butler was scheduled to start Buffalo’s preseason opener in the Hall of Fame game against Tennessee on Sunday, but now a hurt back will likely to prevent him from playing in the games.

Coach Dick Jauron said on Thursday night that Butler will unlikely play after missing the past three days of training camp since his back was hurt on Monday. Without Butler, the debut of the Bills’ retooled offensive line will be postponed.

The Bills now have Derrick Jones on the spot of defensive tackle, who was released by the Titans last week and rejoined the Bills, who cut him during training camp last summer. Before signing Jones, the Bills placed defensive lineman David Lindquist on the waived/left squad list.