Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hakeem Butler is once again tearing it up in spring pro football. Butler signed with the Steelers last summer after a strong spring in the XFL, and despite not landing an NFL gig last year, he’s making a big splash in the new UFL this spring.
Butler is the UFL’s leading receiver through the first nine weeks of the 10-week regular season, catching 43 passes for 619 yards in his nine games with the St. Louis BattleHawks. He has also caught five touchdown passes. Justin Hall of the Houston Roughnecks is second with 599 receiving yards.
Butler, 28, finished second in receiving yards and led the XFL in touchdown receptions with St. Louis last season. The Steelers signed Butler after the BattleHawks won the XFL title last May.
He spent all of OTAs and training camp with the Steelers, and there seemed to be a realistic hope for the 6-foot-5 Butler to be able to make the team as the club’s fifth wide receiver. But an injury prevented Butler from taking advantage of that opportunity, and he was waived with an injury designation after missing the Steelers’ second preseason game last August.
