Hakeem Butler

Image of Hakeem Butler
Image of Player Hakeem Butler

Player Information

Hakeem Butler (born May 16, 1996) is an American professional football wide receiver for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Iowa State, and was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL draft. He has also been a member of the Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, BC Lions, Edmonton Elks, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cincinnati Bengals.
Birthdate:
16 May 1996
Full Name:
Hakeem Butler
Birthplace:
Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Nationality:
American
Gender:
Male
Height (cm):
196
Weight (kg):
103
Education:
Travis (TX) (High School), Iowa State (College)
Career Started:
2019
Notable Achievements:
UFL Offensive Player of the Year (2024), All-UFL Team (2024), All-XFL Team (2023), UFL receiving yards leader (2024), Second-Team All-American (2018), Second-team All-Big 12 (2018)
Current Team:
St. Louis Battlehawks
Draft Year:
2019
Drafted By:
Arizona Cardinals
Previous Teams:
Arizona Cardinals (From 2019, To 2019), Carolina Panthers (From 2020, To 2020), Philadelphia Eagles (From 2020, To 2020), BC Lions (From 2022, To 2022), Edmonton Elks (From 2022, To 2022), Pittsburgh Steelers (From 2023, To 2023), Cincinnati Bengals (From 2024, To 2024)
Player Active:
From - 2019, To - Present

Hakeem Butler Bio

Hakeem Butler (born May 16, 1996) is an American professional football wide receiver for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Iowa State University and was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Throughout his career, Butler has also been a member of several teams, including the Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, BC Lions, Edmonton Elks, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cincinnati Bengals.

Early Life and Background

Hakeem Butler was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on May 16, 1996. He faced a significant personal tragedy when his mother, Sherryl, passed away from breast cancer when he was just 16 years old. Following this loss, he moved to Houston, Texas, to live with his aunt and uncle, along with his cousins Aaron and Andrew Harrison, who are former basketball stars at the University of Kentucky. Butler attended Travis High School in Fort Bend, Texas, where he began to develop his skills in football.
Butler committed to Iowa State University to play college football, choosing the school over offers from other institutions such as the University of New Mexico and the University of Houston. His time at Iowa State would prove crucial in shaping his future career as a professional athlete.

Path to American Football

After redshirting his first year at Iowa State in 2015, Hakeem Butler made his collegiate debut in 2016, appearing in 11 games and recording nine receptions for 134 yards and two touchdowns. His performance improved significantly in his sophomore year, where he had 41 receptions for 697 yards and seven touchdowns. In 2018, Butler had a breakout season, achieving 60 receptions for 1,318 yards and nine touchdowns, which set a school record for single-season receiving yards. Following this impressive season, he decided to forgo his senior year and declare for the 2019 NFL Draft.

Hakeem Butler Career

Early Career (2019)

Hakeem Butler was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round, 103rd overall, in the 2019 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, his rookie season was marred by injury; he was placed on injured reserve on August 25, 2019, due to a broken hand, which sidelined him for the entire year. After being waived by the Cardinals on September 4, 2020, Butler signed with the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad on September 18, 2020.

Breakthrough (2023)

Butler’s breakthrough came when he was selected by the St. Louis Battlehawks in the fifth round of the 2023 XFL Supplemental Draft on January 1, 2023. During his first stint with the Battlehawks, he made a significant impact, recording 51 receptions for 599 yards and eight touchdowns. His performance earned him recognition and led to his release from the team on May 15, 2023, as he sought new opportunities in the league.
On May 16, 2023, Butler signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers but was waived/injured on August 21, 2023. He was later released on August 25, 2023. Butler returned to the Battlehawks for a second stint on December 4, 2023, where he continued to excel. He was named to the All-UFL team on June 5, 2024, and was honored as the UFL Offensive Player of the Year on June 7, 2024, after finishing the season with 652 receiving yards, 45 receptions, and five touchdowns.

Notable Works and Milestones

Hakeem Butler’s signature achievements include being named the UFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2024 and leading the UFL in receiving yards that same year. His college accolades include being a Second-Team All-American and earning Second-Team All-Big 12 honors in 2018.

Hakeem Butler Award Nominations

Throughout his career, Hakeem Butler has received several nominations and accolades, particularly during his time in the UFL and XFL, showcasing his talent and impact on the field.

Hakeem Butler Awards Won

Hakeem Butler has achieved notable recognition in his career, including being named the UFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2024 and being selected for the All-UFL Team the same year. He was also recognized as a member of the All-XFL Team in 2023 and led the UFL in receiving yards in 2024. His college achievements include being a Second-Team All-American and Second-Team All-Big 12 in 2018.