When the Patriots rookie corner, Malcolm Butler, made that game-changing interception in Sunday night's Super Bowl XLIX, his agent's life was also forever changed. Malcolm Butler's agent, Derek Simpson, (Alpha Phi/Alabama 1992) recently shared his thoughts in a recent article from al.com:
This article has been posted with written permission from Roy S. Johnson, Director of Sports, Alabama Media Group.
Malcolm Butler's Super Bowl moment was a game-changer for Huntsville-based agent, too
By Natalie Pierre/al.com
Derek Simpson's hobby could soon be a lot more lucrative. And it is already more time consuming.
Simpson, the agent for Malcolm Butler, received calls and interview requests from Good Morning America, ESPN's SportsCenter, CBS's Today, Conan and ESPN Radio's SVP & Russillo after Butler sealed the Patriots' Super Bowl XLIX victory with a goal-line interception.
The previously unheard-of sports agent was suddenly in high demand, as New England's rookie corner was the unlikeliest of Super Bowl heroes on Sunday night in the Patriots' 28-24 win over the Seattle Seahawks at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
"Not only has it been just a dream season for Malcolm, but it's just been a dream season for me as well," Simpson told AL.com over the phone on Monday afternoon, "to watch him go from a tryout all the way to Super Bowl hero."
If it were not for New England cornerbacks coach Josh Boyer seeing something in the former Division II West Alabama star and providing him an opportunity to try out for the Patriots' 90-man roster last May, Simpson's "hobby" would still be costing him a lot more than he is bringing in.
Prior to the 2012 NFL Draft, the Huntsville-based attorney became a certified NFL agent.
Between the required class on the NFL's collective bargaining agreement, insurance fees and other expenses, Simpson estimates that he spent between $5,000 and $6,000 on the certification process.
The problem was, until Butler, none of his players had actually been signed to an NFL contract. So his hobby was an expensive one, since he had not made any money in two years.
If Simpson would have gone three years without having a player sign, he would be down another $5,000 in accordance with NFL Players Association policy, if he wanted to remain certified.
"This was my last opportunity," Simpson explained. "If Malcolm did not sign a contract I would have to go back and start the process all over again. So when he made the 53-man squad and signed that undrafted free agent contract, it was a relief for me as well."
Before representing Butler, who spent the last two seasons of his college career playing for Division II West Alabama, Simpson took on multiple clients that played their college ball at Alabama.
Running back Kenneth Darby, offensive lineman John Michael, linebacker Tana Patrick and kicker Cade Foster are among the former Crimson Tide players that Simpson represented during the last three drafts. Each player was either never picked up during his draft season or was cut from an NFL camp.
Trying to get more eyes on the former Hinds Community College and Division II star, Simpson landed Butler an invite to Alabama's 2014 Pro Day.
But the 5-foot-11, 190-pound defensive back did not impress anyone with his 4.6-second 40-yard dash in Tuscaloosa.
"When he told me that I said, 'Malcolm, I think I can run that fast in my church shoes,'" Simpson said. "I said, 'That's just not going to get you on a team.'"
After putting in more work, the Vicksburg, Mississippi native ran a 4.4-second 40 yard dash during his tryout with the Patriots.
"Because I just have one player in the league, it's like watching my son when I watch him on TV," Simpson said. "I'm just thinking 'Come on.' It's just great. And when he does really, really well I'm just so excited, and when something bad happens it hurts me."
On May 19, New England officially signed Butler as an undrafted free agent.
His three-year deal was for a rookie minimum $420,000 annually, which does not include bonuses, like the one he received for being a Super Bowl champion.
Three percent of his base salary, $12,600, is what Simpson made this season from his "hobby."
But Simpson is far from the only one impacted by Butler's somewhat-surprising success at the pro level.
On a night where companies dished out millions of dollars to be featured on Super Bowl commercials, New England's 28-24 Super Bowl victory, secured by the former Vicksburg High star, provided free exposure for the Gulf South Conference and Popeyes, among others.
"It's a real proud moment to see our student-athletes get that recognition, because we know what they're capable of," GSC commissioner Matt Wilson said Sunday night in a phone interview with AL.com. "It's a lot of times a matter of opportunity, and I'm glad that he's made the most of his."
The Division II league that is based out of Birmingham has now produced 19 Super Bowl players, but Butler is the first from West Alabama.
After his first collegiate season at Hinds Community College in Jackson, Mississippi, Butler's career hit a low, as he found himself working part-time at Popeyes, after being kicked out of school.
"It's been such a great ride watching this player that I believed in and really thought could play in the NFL just blossom into this great player," Simpson said. "It's been so rewarding."
After initially being a long shot to make the Patriots' 53-man roster, the 24 year old finished Super Bowl XLIX with a career-high three passes defended, three tackles and a game-clinching interception for which he will forever be remembered.
"He played just a great game, and I was hoping he would get MVP," Simpson said, "cause he could use the truck more than (Tom) Brady can."
Read more about Derek Simpson by clicking here.