Yard Dawgz Lineman Signs Deal with CFL

Originally Published: May 4, 2010 8:41 AM CDT

Dave Carty
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz offensive lineman Kelly Butler accepted a contract offer to join the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League.

“The Yard Dawgz organization will miss a true professional within the Oklahoma City community and a physical force on the field that gave us 100% effort during his stay here in Oklahoma City,” said head coach Sparky McEwen in a press release. “I only wish that the Yard Dawgz had every player on the roster that played the game with the passion of Kelly Butler. We wish him well in his continued success. No one deserves this opportunity more.”

The 6-foot-8, 330-pound lineman has anchored the Yard Dawgz offensive line the past three seasons. A sixth-round selection in the 2004 NFL Draft, Butler started 21 games with the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns before joining the Arena Football League.