The Hall of Fame corners Butler’s collection

One of the major points of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s mission statement is to “preserve professional football’s historic documents and artifacts.” That ongoing objective was aided recently when Class of 2012 enshrinee Jack Butler sent the Hall of Fame a large collection which chronicles his entire career in football. More than 100 items were included in the shipment and will now be carefully housed and cared for by the Hall of Fame’s curatorial staff. 

 

{GALLERY}Among some of the more notable artifacts that arrived in Canton were two jerseys, a sideline jacket, and a pair of pants worn during Butler’s nine-year career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Butler also sent several large scrapbooks which detail every aspect of his playing career beginning with his days at St. Bonaventure through 1959 his final season in Pittsburgh. The collection includes numerous photos, letters, his player contracts, trading cards and other miscellaneous items. Butler’s collection is one of the largest assortments of artifacts and documents from an incoming member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame to arrive at the museum.

 

“We are thrilled to receive this large and important collection from Jack Butler,” commented the Hall of Fame’s Collections Curator Jason Aikens. “Not only are we eager to preserve these historic artifacts and materials for generations to come, but it helps the Hall of Fame tell the complete story of one of the greatest cornerbacks ever to play in the National Football League.”

 

Butler was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, Feb. 4 along with five other members of the new Class of 2012 – Dermontti Dawson, Chris Doleman, Cortez Kennedy, Curtis Martin, and Willie Roaf. Dawson and Butler now bring the total number of long-time Steelers in the Hall of Fame to 20. Only the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers are more represented in the Hall of Fame than Pittsburgh.