| Born: | May 4, 1943 Quincy, Florida, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Died: | February 10, 2014 (aged 70) Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | Running back |
| College | Edward Waters |
| NFL draft | 1965 / Round: 14 / Pick 186 |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1965–1967 | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 1968–1971 | Atlanta Falcons |
| 1972 | St. Louis Cardinals |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Pro Bowls | 1 |
James "Cannonball" Butler (May 4, 1943 – February 10, 2014) was an American professional football player who was a running back for eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL), with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Atlanta Falcons and the St. Louis Cardinals. Butler grew up in Delray Beach, Florida and played college football at Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, Florida. To this day, he is the only alumnus from the school to ever play in the NFL.[1]
In the NFL, Butler was the leading rusher for the Atlanta Falcons in each of his four seasons with the team (1968-1971), and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1969.[2]