2012 SD Chargers Media Guide_PROOF.P - Seahawks Online ...

56 DONALD BUTLERInside Linebacker Draft 3 – ’106-1, 248 Washington3rd NFL SeasonDel Campo HS3rd with ChargersFair Oaks, Calif.VETERANS &RETURNING PLAYERSOne of the top feel-good stories out of San Diego in2011 was the emergence of inside linebacker Donald Butler.A third-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft whom theChargers traded up 12 spots to select, the Bolts were lookingfor big things from the former Washington Husky as arookie. But one afternoon during an early training camppractice, Butler tore his left Achilles tendon during a passrush drill and his rookie season ended before it began.Butler spent all of 2010 rehabilitating and when 2011arrived, the door of opportunity swung wide open. Butlerpaid close attention and took copious notes from veteraninside ’backer Takeo Spikes, who was signed as a free agentin July. The two ended up starting side-by-side and Butler’srepaired Achilles held up as he and Spikes ranked 1-2 onTRANSACTION HISTORY: Third-round pick (79), April 23,2010...signed four-year contract, July 13.2011: Two tackles for loss and two quarterback hits, one ofwhich led to interception by teammate Marcus Gilchrist Oct.2 vs. Miami...first-career interception week later in Denver offKyle Orton...Oct. 23 at New York Jets, early in game strippedball from tight end Dustin Keller after catch and returnedfumble 37 yards for touchdown and 7-0 lead...season-high11 tackles vs. Jets...season-high three tackles for loss Nov. 27vs. Denver. 2010: Placed on “Reserve-Injured” Aug. 31.the team in tackles with 119 and 102, respectively. By thetime the ’11 season concluded, Butler had started all 16games and he was the only Chargers defender to hang anumber in every statistical defensive category.Butler studied construction management at Washington.His mom, Janet Rice, was a single parent who workeda number of years for the Oakland (Calif.) Housing Authoritywhile raising Donald and two siblings. Her career pathspurred an interest in Donald in the business side of construction,which he pursued while playing football for theHuskies. Butler also spent two of his college years learningon the job as he interned with the Walsh Construction Co.in Tacoma, Wash.COLLEGE: Honorable mention All-America by Sports Illustrated,second-team All-Pac-10, co-captain and team’s 950 KJRDefensive Player of Year after leading team with career-high 94tackles in ’09...KING-TV Most Improved Player on defense in ’08and team’s Defensive Player of Week after Washington Stategame...Academic All-Pac-10 in ’07...Travis Spring Most OutstandingFrosh Award for defense in ’06...played at Washingtonfrom 2006-09...construction management and business major.PERSONAL: Born in Sacramento, California...honorable mentionAll-Metro by Sacramento Bee at Del Campo High Schoolin Fair Oaks, Calif.Regular Season Pass Fumbles Special TeamsYear Team G-S Tack.-Asst. Total Sacks-Yds. Int.-Yds. Long TD Def. For.-Rec. TFL Tackles2010 San Diego “Reserve-Injured”2011 San Diego 16-16 78-24 102 2-17 1-2 2 0 1 2-1 10 1Single-game HighsTackles — 11 at New York Jets Oct. 23, 2011Sacks — 1 (2 times) Last: at Detroit Dec. 24, 2011Interceptions — 1 at Denver Oct. 9, 2011Interception Return Yards — 2 at Denver Oct. 9, 2011Interception Return Long — 2 at Denver Oct. 9, 2011MEDIA GUIDE | 42