Latest news with #JamesButler
The Province
13-05-2025
- Sport
- The Province
Return to B.C. Lions 'a beautiful hello' for running back James Butler
Florida Panthers exec breaks silence after being suspended by NHL for social media post Canucks: What to learn from Travis Green guiding Senators back to NHL playoffs It's the 'D-oh-double-G': Snoop Dogg to headline B.C. Lions home-opener Return to B.C. Lions 'a beautiful hello' for running back James Butler Opportunity brought Butler to B.C. this week — a place he found tough to leave the first time around Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS / Darryl Dyck Article content KAMLOOPS — James Butler always knew a return to the B.C. Lions was possible. The CFL veteran just didn't anticipate the way he'd find his way back. Advertisement 2 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Sign In or Create an Account Email Address Continue or View more offers Article content Article content tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Return to B.C. Lions 'a beautiful hello' for running back James Butler Back to video Article content After two years with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Butler was released in January after a difficult season. 'I didn't have any heads-up,' he said of the team's decision. 'I was coming off one of my worst years in Hamilton, so I was like, 'I hope I can have another opportunity.' But I understand the game.' Hours after the Ticats announced the move, the Lions inked the five-foot-eight, 215-pound running back as a free agent. Coming back to B.C. was 'a pretty easy decision,' Butler said. 'It was an opportunity. (Lions general manager Ryan Rigmaiden) called me and said 'Hey, we should have kept you here when you left.' So it was nice to hear that,' he said at Lions training camp in Kamloops, B.C., this week. 'It's funny. (Former Ticats head coach Orlando Steinhauer), he calls me and he's like 'I just want to say congratulations. I think that was the fastest someone's ever been cut and then re-signed.'' Canucks Report Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. There was an error, please provide a valid email address. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Canucks Report will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Article content Advertisement 3 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content After playing college football at Iowa, the Chicago native spent time with the Oakland Raiders, Saskatchewan Roughriders and XFL's Houston Roughnecks before signing with the Lions in 2021. He had a standout campaign in 2022, starting with a four-touchdown performance against the Edmonton Elks in the regular-season opener. Over 17 appearances, he rushed for 1,060 yards with seven touchdowns, and chalked up 384 receiving yards with another four majors. Part of that success was due to Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke, Butler said. 'I had my best season playing with Nate because with Nate, anything's possible,' he said. 'He opens everything up.' As a free agent, Butler signed with the Ticats before the 2023 season. He amassed a career-high 1,116 rushing yards with seven touchdowns over 17 games, and added 527 receiving yards with another TD. Advertisement 4 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content He had a strong start to 2024, too, running for 119 yards against the Calgary Stampeders in the first game of the year. As the season wore on, though, he struggled and was replaced in the lineup midseason by rookie Greg Ball. Butler played 10 games across the campaign, rushing for 522 yards with two touchdowns. 'I wouldn't say anything went wrong (last season). I would just say it's the business of football,' he said. 'There's only so many things you can really control. All I could really do is control playing the games as well as I can and just pray and hope for another opportunity.' Opportunity brought Butler to B.C. this week — a place he found tough to leave the first time around. 'Obviously, it was hard to say goodbye. But it's a beautiful hello,' he said. 'I had a lot of success here. My CFL career was born here. And then I get to come back, I get to wear my old college number, which makes me feel young again. So it's exciting.' Advertisement 5 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Photo by DARRYL DYCK / THE CANADIAN PRESS The team Butler rejoins looks different than the one he left in 2022. Rigmaiden was elevated from assistant general manager and director of player personnel to general manager in December, and at the same time, former Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive coordinator Buck Pierce took over as head coach. B.C. also opted not to bring back several stalwarts this season, including defensive back T.J. Lee and offensive lineman Sukh Chung. 'It's a very different group, but I'm excited,' Butler said. 'Obviously, Coach Buck, it's hard to not see what he's done in Winnipeg.' Pierce likes to get his running backs into the play, he added, pointing to the success Brady Oliveira has had in recent years. The Canadian running back was named both the CFL's most outstanding player and most outstanding Canadian last season after putting up a league-leading 1,353 rushing yards. Advertisement 6 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Pierce is confident Butler has a lot to add to the Lions' lineup. 'James is great,' the coach said. 'He's dynamic in all facets of the game. He's very good in pass protection, he can run inside the tackles, he's a matchup in coverage as well. Real good feet, real good contact balance and overall IQ as a football player, right? 'And over the last couple of days, being able to pick his brain a little bit and get to know him as a person and as a player, he's a great personality. He's going to fit in well.' Read More It's the 'D-oh-double-G': Snoop Dogg to headline B.C. Lions home-opener Training camp 2025: Time for the philosophical question — just who are the B.C. Lions going to be? Article content Share this article in your social network Latest National Stories
National Post
13-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Return to B.C. Lions 'a beautiful hello' for running back James Butler
KAMLOOPS — James Butler always knew a return to the B.C. Lions was possible. The CFL veteran just didn't anticipate the way he'd find his way back. Article content Article content After two years with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Butler was released in January after a difficult season. Article content 'I didn't have any heads-up,' he said of the team's decision. 'I was coming off one of my worst years in Hamilton, so I was like, 'I hope I can have another opportunity.' But I understand the game.' Article content Article content Hours after the Ticats announced the move, the Lions inked the five-foot-eight, 215-pound running back as a free agent. Article content Coming back to B.C. was 'a pretty easy decision,' Butler said. Article content 'It was an opportunity. (Lions general manager Ryan Rigmaiden) called me and said 'Hey, we should have kept you here when you left.' So it was nice to hear that,' he said at Lions training camp in Kamloops, B.C., this week. Article content 'It's funny. (Former Ticats head coach Orlando Steinhauer), he calls me and he's like 'I just want to say congratulations. I think that was the fastest someone's ever been cut and then re-signed.'' Article content After playing college football at Iowa, the Chicago native spent time with the Oakland Raiders, Saskatchewan Roughriders and XFL's Houston Roughnecks before signing with the Lions in 2021. Article content He had a standout campaign in 2022, starting with a four-touchdown performance against the Edmonton Elks in the regular-season opener. Over 17 appearances, he rushed for 1,060 yards with seven touchdowns, and chalked up 384 receiving yards with another four majors. Article content Part of that success was due to Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke, Butler said. Article content 'I had my best season playing with Nate because with Nate, anything's possible,' he said. 'He opens everything up.' Article content Article content As a free agent, Butler signed with the Ticats before the 2023 season. He amassed a career-high 1,116 rushing yards with seven touchdowns over 17 games, and added 527 receiving yards with another TD. Article content He had a strong start to 2024, too, running for 119 yards against the Calgary Stampeders in the first game of the year. Article content As the season wore on, though, he struggled and was replaced in the lineup midseason by rookie Greg Ball. Butler played 10 games across the campaign, rushing for 522 yards with two touchdowns. Article content 'I wouldn't say anything went wrong (last season). I would just say it's the business of football,' he said. 'There's only so many things you can really control. All I could really do is control playing the games as well as I can and just pray and hope for another opportunity.'
CBC
13-05-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Ticats head coach Milanovich confirms Greg Bell will be the club's starting running back
Scott Milanovich quickly removed any doubt regarding who will be the Hamilton Tiger-Cats' starting running back this season. The Ticats' head coach emphatically stated Monday following the club's second day of training camp that job belongs to Greg Bell. And only an injury to the six-foot, 200-pound sophomore will change that. "Greg is the starter as long as he's healthy," Milanovich said. "There's no doubt about that." Bell, 26, had many flashes of brilliance last season, his first in the CFL. In just eight games with Hamilton, the California native rushed for 625 yards (6.6-yard average) and six TDs while adding 29 catches for 230 yards and a touchdown platooning with veteran James Butler. Bell's play resulted in Hamilton releasing Butler, who quickly re-signed with the B.C. Lions. Butler spent his first two CFL seasons in Vancouver (2021-22) before joining the Ticats as a free agent in 2023. Bell's dual-threat ability was on full display in Hamilton's 47-22 home loss to Edmonton on Aug. 17. He ran for 85 yards and a TD on 12 carries while also registering six receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown. "He's dynamic, he's explosive," Milanovich said of Bell. "He's a threat in the run game ... he's a threat in the pass game and does a good job protecting. "He's an all-around back. He has a chance to have a really good year if he stays healthy." Too many turnovers in Ticats preseason game, coach says Milanovich, also Hamilton's offensive co-ordinator, was critical of his unit Monday for committing multiple turnovers during the team period. "I was pleased with today but I wasn't pleased with the offence holding on to the football," said Milanovich, whose displeasure was clearly audible at McMaster's Ron Joyce Stadium. "Offensively, we've got to grasp real quickly that it doesn't matter how many good things you do, if you turn the ball over, it washes everything out." Butler was the last Ticat to rush for 1,000 yards, finishing with a career-high 1,116 in 2023. Before him, DeAndra' Cobb did it in back-to-back seasons in 2009 and 2010 (1,203 and 1,173). Bell credits Butler with mentoring him and helping ease his transition to the Canadian game. "I learned everything from him," Bell said. "Just being tough, learning the CFL game and being a hard-nosed running back. "I'm way more comfortable (now), I know the offence, I know everybody on the team, I'm good to be out there and be myself. I can have a really good year. We have a great offence, really explosive, so I feel we're all going to have a really good year." Bell's blocking prowess is impressive given how often he must engage bigger players. "He can improve but he's not bad at it," Milanovich said. "Ball security is another (area for improvement), he tends to carry it low at times. "But I'm glad he's here, let's put it that way." Hamilton (7-11) finished fourth in the East Division last season and missed the CFL playoffs. Bell played in the NFL with Detroit and Pittsburgh Like all quality running backs, Bell gets into his rushing lane quickly. However, once he breaks the line of scrimmage, he can kick into another gear that makes him very difficult to track down and catch. "I'm trying to get into the end zone every time I touch the ball," Bell said. "Once I get past the linebackers, I'm just trying to run at full speed and get to the end zone, for sure." Certainly, much of Bell's running ability comes naturally. But he works diligently at being a solid receiver. "I try to work on my hands every day... so I can be comfortable catching," he said. "Catching the ball is going to expand the offence for me and everybody." And true to his word, following Monday's session, Bell took extra reps at the Jugs machine, which throws passes between five and 80 yards and can swivel 360 degrees to mimic any passing drill. Bell played collegiately at Arizona Western (2016-17), Nebraska (2018) and San Diego State (2019-20). He joined the Aztecs as a walk-on in 2019 with no scholarships available, then missed the entire season due to a weightlifting injury. Bell opened 2020 with four straight 100-yard performances, finishing with 637 yards on 113 carries (5.6-yard average) and six touchdowns. He came to Hamilton after NFL stints with Detroit (2022) and Pittsburgh (2023). His primary goal this season is a very simple one.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Yahoo
Vista couple living in hotel arrested after meth found during parole check
VISTA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — A routine parole compliance check conducted by deputies from the Vista Sheriff's Station led to a couple's arrest on Wednesday, authorities said. According to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office, the check took place just after 11:30 a.m. at a hotel on the 600 block of Sycamore Avenue, where 45-year-old James Butler has been living. Also present was his wife, 54-year-old Kelly Butler. Body found in water near The Rady Shell Upon searching the room, deputies discovered nearly 50 grams of methamphetamine and evidence suggesting the couple had been manufacturing Butane Honey Oil (BHO), a form of cannabis concentrate. The sheriff's Marijuana Enforcement Team and County Hazmat were called to the scene to handle the hazardous materials involved in the BHO operation. Butler, a parolee, was arrested on suspicion of possessing and selling a controlled substance, along with violating parole, authorities said. His wife was also taken into custody, with both now facing charges of child endangerment after deputies learned that their child had been living in the hotel room with them. WATCH: Police pursuit ends in Hillcrest; suspect in custody The San Diego County Child and Family Well-Being (CFWB) Department was contacted and immediately began an investigation. After assessing the situation, CFWB placed the child with other family members, ensuring their safety and well-being. Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident as the couple faces legal consequences. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
