Devon Butler leaving NIU

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print

Northern Illinois junior linebacker Devon Butler was granted his release from the program on Wednesday after his second off-campus incident in the past two years.

Butler was shot in the back at an off-campus apartment in April 2011 and sat out last season. He was then stabbed in the chest at a party on Sunday and was reported to have practiced with the team on Monday.

Northern Illinois said Butler's release was not related to one specific incident.

"Devon has not lived up to the standards we set for members of the Northern Illinois football team," coach Dave Doeren said in a statement. "At this time, we feel it is in the best interest of both Devon and of our football program for him to make a fresh start at another institution."

Butler started 13 games and had 80 tackles for the Huskies in 2010.

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print
• Subscribe

Scott Powers | email

Reporter

• Follow
• Archive

Scott Powers is a general reporter for ESPNChicago.com. He is an award-winning journalist and has been reporting on preps, colleges and pros for publications throughout the Midwest since 1997.