BREAKING NEWS!!! Former Bills GM John Butler has passed away!!!

[Michael82]

Chargers General Manager John Butler, who was diagnosed with cancer last July, died of complications from the disease on Friday morning. He was 56. "All of our thoughts and prayers right now are with his wife, Alice, and daughter, Andrea," said team President Dean Spanos. “He meant so much to everyone here. It’s hard to put into words this feeling of loss. We’ll miss him.” Butler was one of the NFL’s most respected talent evaluators.

He returned to the Chargers as general manager on Jan. 5, 2001 after beginning his NFL career as a scout with the team from 1985-86.

Since re-joining the Chargers, Butler was instrumental in restoring the Chargers’ roster to playoff caliber. He helped bring in a host of bright, young players through the draft, including Pro Bowl running back LaDainian Tomlinson, quarterback Drew Brees, cornerback Quentin Jammer, linebacker Ben Leber, guard Toniu Fonoti and wide receiver Reche Caldwell.

Butler was equally adept at finding quality players through free agency. Over the past three offseasons, Butler has signed six Pro Bowl players through free agency, including wide receiver David Boston and fullback Lorenzo Neal this year; linebacker Donnie Edwards and tight end Stephen Alexander in 2002, and defensive end Marcellus Wiley and defensive back Ryan McNeil in 2001.

http://www.chargers.com/news/headline_detail.cfm?news_key=1141

http://www.chargers.com/images/news_images/jbutlercancercart_200x300.jpg

[Michael82]

My thoughts are prayers are with his family and all my jokes have been removed from me. We have made a lot of jokes about him, but he is a great guy and was a good GM for the team. :pray: :cry:

[Pride]

ouch....

My condolences to his family and friends.

[Dozerdog]

The big guy above had a better purpose for you!

[Ebenezer]

Same here...the bottom line was that he was trying to build a winner...if not for one play he may have done it.

:pray: for his family.

[Tatonka]

not the kind of breaking news you hope to see.. prayers for his family and friends.

[Valerie]

That's awful! :( God bless his family. I'm sure he's in a better place now.:pray:

[TypicalBill]

:(


My deepest condolences to his family, friends and loved ones.

[lordofgun]

A sad day for Bills fans. Sympathies and prayers to his family.

[Billz_fan]

I will say a prayer for John and his family tonight. Very sad indeed.

:(

[don137]

My prayers are with him and his family. While many may not agree with the contracts he shelled out most everyone agrees that he was a great individual and one heck of a talent evaluator. The world will miss him.

[shelby]

:wail: Though expected, that is very sad.
Prayers for his family.

[The Spaz]

That's what happens when you don't take care of your body. When you get sick and have to rely on it it will only give back what you put into it. I am sorry he died too. That's why I always take care of myself and watch what I eat. I know that you never can tell that you could get a terrible disease like this but it helps if you take of yourself. My condolenses to his family. Go Bills!

[Billsouth]

just another example of how destructive cancer is and whe.

[Billsouth]

i am sorry i was not able to finish. unfortunately, it is times like this when we realize how lucky we are to be alive. i pray that the good lord help his family in their time of need

[Mr. Miyagi]

Ouch. 56 is a very young age to die. He was a good GM for the Bills, despite the salary cap problems. He was a great talent evaluator. It was very unfortunate that it didn't work out between him and RW.

My thoughts for his family.

I wonder if Seau would go to his funeral. Didn't he leave on bad terms?

[LtBillsFan66]

Sad news.

[Patrick76777]

Terrible News. Very sad.

You had to see it coming. You can’t live your life pushing 400 pounds and expect to live a long life.

[Dozerdog]

He died of Cancer. Not from being obese.

[Patrick76777]

I’m sure the fact that he was probably 150 pounds over weight didn’t help. Either with the onset of cancer or trying to fight it off.

[Michael82]

Guys, Cancer has nothing to do with how much he weighs. That disease is totally different. Yeah, he did like to eat...but that is not what killed him.

[Ebenezer]

guys, let's stick to condolences..not a debate about health...take that to the twilight zone.

[LtBillsFan66]

Wasn't it lung cancer? Didn't he smoke?

Anyone still smoking? Anyone complaining about how hard it is to quit? It beats dying.

[justasportsfan]

God rest his soul and my thoughts and prayers to his family as well.

[Gunzlingr]

:pray: Farewell big guy

[Brian H]

Looks like god has a heck of a GM truly sad news.......

[Novacane]

Sad. Condolences to his family. He presided over a lot of good times for Bills fans.

[#89]

to talk with the fans. He was a very friendly man and proud father.

[doug45]

Very sad, I liked him in Buffalo. I will pray for him and his family.:angel:

[Dman]

John Butler was more than just a great scout, talent evaluator and General Manager.
He was truely a nice man who cared about his players and above all else....he was a FAN!!!
God Bless
Rest in Peace

[SACKMARINO]

GOD BLESS JOHN BUTLER AND HIS FAMILY!

[The_Philster]

This is truly sad. :( He wasn't great with the contracts but he was a heck of a talent evaluator. His loss is felt throughout the NFL as well as with his family. :pray:

[Michael82]

I hope that this will signify the end of all the Butler jokes. It was fun, but now is the time to remember all the good that he has done for the Buffalo Bills and the NFL. I'll miss him. :(

[Herdwatcher]

You will be dearly missed. God bless you John.
Prayers to your family bud!!

[Bert102176]

my thoughts and sympathy are with his friends and family may he be with god and forever be happy and peaceful.

[SABURZFAN]

some of us had bad things to say about him when he left buffalo.one thing that none us wished was death to him.it's unfortunate that cancer killed him.it's a big loss in the football world.

[Billsouth]

Jesus works in mysterious ways and we can learn from this by cherishing every moment we are on this earth and making sure that we are right with God. I hope those of you who do not know Jesus as your Lord and personal savior think about asking him to come into your hearts and to be your savior.

please consider.

[Earthquake Enyart]

I loved those action shots at the beginning of the John Butler show.... John on the phone, John cheering the team on. Based on what I could see on Empire, he seemed like a nice guy who really cared.

Prayers to his family.

[imbondz]

John Butler- Thanks for all those great years you spent with us in Buffalo!! God bless to you and your family...

[Historian]

A truly sad day for any Bills Fan. Rest easy gentle giant.

[JayWood]

RIP John Butler. My prayers and thoughts are with his family and friends

[mybills]

:( My thoughts are sincerely with his family...exactly 9 months from start to finish, just like with my dad. Cancer is not easy for the loved ones either, so many prayers all around. I'm glad I never said anything bad about him, I'd be kicking myself right now.

[Ingtar33]

John was a good, honest, and loyal man. I will miss him, and my prayors are with his family and soul.

[RedEyE]

:sadwalk: