Awkward: Patriots send ‘Happy Birthday’ tweet to Malcolm Butler
Friday marks Malcolm Butler’s 28th birthday, so the New England Patriots made the customary gesture by taking to social media to wish the Super Bowl XLIX hero a happy one.
Happy birthday, @Mac_BZ! pic.twitter.com/WIXUvjvf2X
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) March 2, 2018
If it only wasn’t all so … awkward.
Butler of course found himself in the midst of a Super Bowl-sized controversy last month when he was unceremoniously benched for the big game. The Patriots of course would go on to lose by a score of 41-33 in an upset to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII.
Speculation, hand-wringing and much drama played out in the wake of the stunning decision by Bill Belichick, who to no surprise was not especially forthcoming as to the reasons behind Butler’s benching. The Patriots coaching staff of course followed suit, leaving onlookers, pundits and the like perplexed over the arguably strange decision.
Patriots players, however, rallied around their teammate in the aftermath; on social media, to reporters and elsewhere.
Making matters somehow even more awkward is Butler is slated to be an unrestricted free agent and his return to the team next season is unlikely. The confluence of events was not lost to wiseacres on Twitter, either.
Did Coach Belichick approve this tweet? pic.twitter.com/hOLKYUxkr7
— Chris White – Spiritual Ronin (@evyllsummer) March 2, 2018
— Alonso (@AlonsoNFL) March 2, 2018
— Patrick Dorer (@PJDorer) March 2, 2018
— lauren ©️ (@everydaylaurenn) March 2, 2018
Breaking News : Belichick has announced Butler won’t be allowed to celebrate his birthday today .
— Anthony Aveyard (@AnthonyAveyard) March 2, 2018
So, uh, happy birthday, Malcolm Butler. The Patriots are thinking of you on this special day. Or something.
