UNR product Butler makes living on Rebels’ field

Ezra Butler remembers the speech.

He was a freshman linebacker at UNR in 2004 and it was Monday of the week of the annual game against rival UNLV. Wolf Pack coach Chris Ault gathered his players and pointedly stressed the importance of ending the Rebels' four-year ownership of the Fremont Cannon, the winner's trophy.

"(Ault) said, 'The color red reminds me of three things -- UNLV, the devil and communism -- none of which are good,' " Butler said, laughing.

Ironically, Butler now wears red as a second-year member of the UFL's Las Vegas Locomotives, though the uniform has just enough silver to make him feel at home. Even more ironic is that he's earning his living playing pro football in UNLV's house, Sam Boyd Stadium.

"Yeah, that took a little getting used to," Butler said. "But I love being here in Vegas. It's a great place to play."

The Locos (0-1) travel to Orlando, Fla., on Thursday to face the Florida Tuskers (1-1) in a rematch of their Sept. 18 season opener, won by the Tuskers, 27-20. Butler, a 6-foot-2-inch, 248-pound outside linebacker, played well in defeat, making 5½ tackles to nearly match his season total (six) from 2009.

Coach Jim Fassel said he notices a big difference in Butler this year.

"I've seen a development and a maturity," Fassel said. "He's always been a great athlete. But at this level, you can't get by on just athletic ability. You have to learn the game, and he understands the game more."

Butler said, "Last year, I was an athlete playing football. This year I'm a football player who happens to be athletic. I'm studying more. I'm better prepared. All around, I feel like I've improved."

Butler went undrafted by the NFL in 2008 and quickly signed with the San Francisco 49ers as a free agent. But they released him that May after he was arrested in Reno for driving under marijuana intoxication. This year Butler was released by the New York Jets during training camp, and the Locos re-signed him in August.

Butler said he has matured since his arrest. He also tested positive for marijuana at UNR in 2007 and was suspended for the Wolf Pack's season-opening game at Nebraska.

"Experiences like that, you try to learn from them," he said. "It's part of life. It happens to the best of us. You live and you learn."

Like all UFL players, Butler is tested regularly for recreational drugs as well as steroids and performance-enhancing drugs. He's been clean so far, and Fassel reminded him that he needs to stay that way.

"We've had our talk," Fassel said. "He understands the opportunity he has here."

Butler, who will attend the UNR-UNLV game Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium, said he expected the Wolf Pack to have a successful season behind senior quarterback Colin Kaepernick. The team's 4-0 record and ascension to No. 25 in both major polls has Butler excited.

"What impresses me is our defense is flying around," he said. "And Kaepernick, he was just a baby when I was there. But you could see the kind of talent he has."

UNR has won five straight against UNLV, and Butler said he expects the Fremont Cannon to stay blue for a while.

"We'll blow them out by at least three touchdowns," he said.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.