The Patriots are gearing up for their 2024 home opener against the Seattle Seahawks, and they’re doing it with a blast from the past ¹. Malcolm Butler, the Super Bowl XLIX hero who made the game-deciding play a decade ago, will be returning to Gillette Stadium to perform the Keeper of the Light duties ¹.
Butler’s iconic interception at the goal line in Super Bowl XLIX sealed a thrilling 28-24 victory over the Seahawks, cementing his place in Patriots history ¹. Now, he’s being welcomed back to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of that championship season ¹.
Butler won’t be alone in his homecoming; over 20 of his former teammates are also returning for a reunion weekend ¹. The former players and their families will enjoy a reception at Gillette Stadium on Saturday night, followed by a pregame hosting by the Kraft family on Sunday ¹. Patriots fans will even get the chance to welcome them home during a halftime ceremony ¹.
As the Keeper of the Light, Butler will ring the bell atop the stadium’s new lighthouse prior to the Patriots team introduction, a tradition started by Tom Brady last year ¹. It’s an honor that Butler is humbled to accept, saying, “It’s an honor to come back and celebrate with my teammates and the fans who have supported us throughout the years” ¹.
This Sunday’s game is shaping up to be an unforgettable experience, with the Patriots and Seahawks set to face off in a rematch of Super Bowl XLIX ¹. With Butler’s return and the reunion of his former teammates, it’s going to be a celebration of Patriots history and a look back at one of the greatest moments in Super Bowl history ¹.
