Greg Buttle

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Greg Buttle
Date of birth	June 20, 1954
Place of birth	Atlantic City, New Jersey
Position(s)	linebacker
College	Penn State
NFL Draft	1976 / Round 3
Statistics	DatabaseFootball
Team(s)
1976-1984	New York Jets

Gregory Ellis Buttle (born June 20, 1954, in Atlantic City, New Jersey) was one of the many outstanding linebackers to come out of the Penn State University football program. He was named a Consensus All-American in 1975.

1 New York Jets
2 Penn State
3 High School
4 Broadcasting
5 Personal
6 External links

[edit] New York Jets

The 6' 3", 232-pound Buttle was selected in the 3rd round (#67 overall) of the 1976 NFL Draft by the New York Jets for whom he would play 9 seasons (1976-1984). He was named to the Jets All-Time Team. Buttle helped the Jets as starting outside linebacker. He had two interceptions to key a big comeback, which ultimately fell short, in the Jet's 1981 playoff game against Buffalo. This was their first playoff game since Super Bowl III. He was a key member of defensive coordinator Joe Gardi's Swarm defense which included fellow Nittany Lion Lance Mehl, as well as the famed “New York Sack Exchange” defensive line. Buttle was uncerimoniously cut in August 1985 by Joe Walton. When questioned about his rookie salary in 1976, Buttle famously replied, “they pay me to practice, but on Sundays I play for free.”[1]

[edit] Penn State

A 1975 Consensus All-American, Buttle was also the captain of the Nittany Lions that year. Considered by many to be one of the best linebackers ever produced by "Linebacker U," he still holds the school records for tackles in a game (24), and season (165). He stood atop the Penn State career tackles list for over 30 years (until Paul Posluszny surpassed his mark of 343 versus Wisconsin on November 4, 2006). In 2001 Buttle was honored with the Silver Anniversary Butkus Award [2] as the most outstanding college linebacker in the country for the 1975 season.

[edit] High School

While attending Mainland Regional High School in Linwood, New Jersey, Buttle not only excelled as a 4-sport letterman in football, basketball, baseball and track and field but also was a champion oarsman while on the Margate City Beach Patrol. He is now a member of the Ocean Rowing Hall Of Fame.

[edit] Broadcasting

Buttle serves as an on-air analyst for WCBS in New York City, alongside play-by-play man Ian Eagle, and hosts "Jets Gameday" on the Jets Radio Network and 1050 ESPN Radio.

[edit] Personal

Buttle has received numerous honors and awards in recognition of his commitment to the community including National Spokesman for the United Way. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in general arts and sciences from Penn State University. He lives in Northport, New York with his wife, Rita.