ST. LOUIS — If you’re lined up against Battlehawks receiver Hakeem Butler, I have two words for you: Good luck.
The 6-foot-6 wide out has dominated the UFL so far this season, leading the league in both receiving yards and receiving touchdowns at the halfway point of the campaign.
And Butler knows how to use that big frame.
“Every game I feel like it’s hard to tackle me. And (Battlehawks offensive coordinator) Bruce Gradkowski constantly reiterates that I just have to play like where I want to go. And I have to show week in and week out that I’m bigger and better than everyone and I try to do that," Butler said.
But it’s not just power and physicality. One analytics site clocked Butler going close to 20 mph on his 80-yard gallop to the end zone last week against the Defenders.
“I’ve constantly had to battle with a narrative about me that I’m slow. Even at the combine they asked me if I wanted to do tight end drills. But I ran a 4.4. I don’t have many opportunities like small guys… I don’t have that crazy, lightning quickness but I think what I do with my combination of size and speed, I think I’m extremely dangerous," Butler said.
Butler may be the most dominant receiver in the league now, but his Battlehawks journey started with a simple direct message to coach Anthony Becht, asking for a chance.
“It’s been amazing, truthfully. For AB to take that risk on me, not knowing much except the little film that I sent him and him asking me, “Are you in shape, are you ready to go?’ And I’m just like, ‘I’m going to be one of your best players’. And it has been amazing… For me just to have the fun I’m having with these guys from all over who are all chasing so many different dreams but we’re all headed the same direction," Butler said.
Last year, a first chance in the XFL got Butler a look in the NFL from the Pittsburgh Steelers. The goal may be to get back to the league, but right now, focus is key.
“Last year I felt like I was so focused on going to the NFL that I wasn’t where my feet are, you know? I wasn’t just grateful for the position I was in. I was constantly trying to prove myself. And this year I’m going into it just enjoying every day, and at the end of it, wherever the chips fall and wherever I land I’m going to be thankful and hopefully they use me the right way," Butler said.
So far, Butler has been a key cog in the well-oiled machine that is the Battlehawks offense. He's continuing to embrace the relationships with quarterback AJ McCarron, and the "every game could be your last" mentality championed by coach Becht.
“I think we (Butler and McCarron) have a great relationship. I love the guy, he’s like a brother to me truthfully. I’m not a hard target to miss on the field. They put me in good spots where I’m able to make plays," Butler said.
“Coach Becht always says, ‘If this is your last 60 minutes of ball, how do you want to be remembered?' And I think we take that each week and go into each game, believing this is our last 60 minutes. And as you saw last year, if we don’t handle business then we aren’t in control of our destiny," Butler said.
And to no surprise, the way St. Louis has embraced this team is not lost on the players themselves.
“St. Louis is a city that deserves a professional football team. They have other professional sports but it seems like they really want a football team when we play. So we try to make it as fun as possible," Butler said.