Jack Butler, 85-year-old NFL Pittsburgh Steeler Hall of Famer, passed away May 11, 2013 after losing a long, emotional battle with a staph infection that began as his career ended in 1959.

Being a memorable name in America can be tough, but Butler surely overcame the pressures of fame with his professional football career. With an impressive 52 interceptions in his career and 4 interceptions in one game (the NFL record) Butler is surely one of the greatest defensive backs of all time. What makes all this even more impressive is that there is only one player ranked ahead of Butler who started his football career before 195—that player is Emlen Tunnell who is ranked 26 in all-time interceptions.

Butler was an undrafted free agent (someone who was not in the annual draft of amateur players and is free to sign with any team). According to SteelersUK.com, Butler began his career as an offensive end before “finding his home as a cornerback/safety.” Butler stood over 6 feet tall at 195 pounds coming out of St. Bonaventure College as a star. He was fearless, courageous, and ready for anything.

Being such a great athlete eventually led Butler to set a record still unbroken today: having 4 interceptions in one game—a 1953 Washington Redskins game. On his fourth interception, Butler jumped up, caught the ball, and ran 35 yards into the end zone to win the game 14-13. On another occasion, Butler caught the game-winning pass from Steelers quarterback Jim Finks against the New York Giants and kicked the extra point to top off the play.

In 1955, just 4 years after starting his National Football League (NFL) career, Butler was appointed to his first All Pro Team, the best of the best.  In today’s  lucrative world of professional sports, it’s interesting to note that Butler, despite all of his great achievements, made only a $12,000 salary. Butler once said, “I thought I made a helluva lot of money.”

Butler’s athletic accomplishments were well recognized throughout his career. Butler made four Pro Bowls and three All Pro Teams. He was selected for the All-Decade Team of the 1950s, had a 60.2 percent  forced turnover percentage, scouted and evaluated over 75,000 college athletes in about 45 years, led the 1957 season in interceptions, and was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2012.

Despite his passing, Butler will forever be in the Hall of Fame and forever in our hearts. Rest in Peace Jack Butler.