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Ex-Michigan TE Jake Butt explains why his injury shouldn’t deter others from playing in bowl games
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The last year has been a tough one for Jake Butt.
Last season, Butt — a star tight end for Michigan — opted to play in the Wolverines’ Orange Bowl game against Florida State before pursuing his dream of becoming an NFL player. But that final game cost Butt dearly, as he suffered an ACL injury in the contest and missed his entire rookie season as a professional.
One might think that, after an injury like that, Butt might warn other players about the dangers of participating in a bowl game. Instead, the former Wolverine said he would do it all over again and that other players shouldn’t be scared about playing in bowl games.
“Don’t let what happened to me scare you into not playing in a game that means something to you,” Butt wrote in The Players’ Tribune. “You can’t play in a bubble. Injuries happen. I played because I love the University of Michigan, and I wanted to be there for my teammates and coaches. And unfortunately for me, I got injured. Nobody wants to be a comeback story. But when you’re put in that situation, what else are you gonna do?”
Butt was a two-time All-American at Michigan and was the winner of the John Mackey Award in 2016. He was selected in the fifth-round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos.
Due to his injury, Butt missed his entire rookie season in Denver. He is expected to be ready for the 2018 season.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB