Selected in the second round of the 1978 draft, Butler spent his entire 10-year career with the Seahawks, starting 132 games at linebacker while helping the team grow from new franchise in the 70s to a playoff team in the 80s. Butler retired as the team’s all-time tackles leader, and he now ranks fourth on that list having been passed by Bobby Wagner, Eugene Robinson and K.J. Wright.  

Butler then went on to a long and successful coaching career that included 18 seasons with the Steelers as linebackers coach then defensive coordinator before he retired after the 2021 season.