Butler provides his explanation for Super Bowl benching

Malcolm Butler joined the Tennessee Titans on a five-year, $61-million contract this week, officially putting an end to his tenure with the New England Patriots.

Now, the man who was benched during Super Bowl LII provided a candid explanation as to why he was tethered to the sideline against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Butler was expected to start against the Eagles but was instead relegated to one snap on special teams, watching helplessly as the Patriots lost 41-33.

After signing with the Titans, Butler provided his account of the game to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald.

"I never got a reason. I feel like this was the reason: I got kind of sick, I went to the hospital. They probably thought I was kind of late on the game plan; I wasn't as locked in as I should be and could have been a matchup deal. It could have been anything. But Bill Belichick has been doing this for a very long time. He took a veteran out of Super Bowl XLIX and put in a first-year rookie, and that turned out right, so you could never question his decision. It didn't work out right. It didn't work out the best for me or him or the New England Patriots. But I can say he won more than he lost, so it is what it is. I always have love for New England, Bill Belichick, Mr. Kraft, all those guys. Life just goes on."

Butler will live forever as a Patriots hero after recording a game-sealing interception in Super Bowl XLIX to preserve a victory over the Seattle Seahawks. Although we may never find out what led to the circumstances of his final game with the Patriots, it appears Butler has found closure.