The Butler did it in the hotel?

Superbowl 52, the Patriots benched Malcolm Butler. The defense was exposed and Tim Brady fumbled the ball during clutch time. Still the lingering question remains. Why was Butler Benched?

Ian Rapoport tried to find out why he was benched, and here's what he tweeted. "My understanding is the benching of #Patriots CB Malcolm Butler happened because of a perfect storm of issues: Sickness, a rough week of practice, and a minor rule violation believed to be related to curfew. A complicated matter."

Almost every article I have read on the subject has said there was an undisclosed curfew violation of some kind.

Former Patriot defensive back Brandon Browner spoke after the superbowl. Saying it was drugs and curfew violation.

Browner explained "For weed? For curfew? Man, do y’all history. Patriots [are] a team that gives guys second chances. He not the first to get caught with weed. Curfew also meant we are not allowed to have guest especially women.”

Several players on the Patriots superbowl 52 secondary have come out and challenged Belichick, saying that it was disciplinary and have said that if it wasn't, benching Butler mad "zero sense".

Malcolm Butler has denied missing curfew. However, the violation may not have been missing curfew but activities after curfew.

Ride the wave media who occasionally talks with professional athletes, released this statement. Ride the wave, who on June 11, had a shout out and video message from Jonas Gray, former Patriots running back. So there maybe something to this.

This statement lays out some very different violations.

Now having a women in his room after curfew is not the same as the earlier assumptions that his curfew violations were because of him being out late. This statement also never says Butler was accused of smoking. Just that there was a lot of smoke coming from his room.

Let's take Bill Belichick at face value that benching Butler wasn't a punishment. Let's also assume the incident was true about what he said to Steven Belichick and for putting his hands on him.

Belichick would not be lying about it being a punishment at that point because it was a personal vendetta to bench his player. Butler insulted and assaulted his son. He messed with Belichick's family. Grown man or not, you don't put your hands on another man's kids. Especially if they have power over your livelihood.

As of 5:51pm eastern daylight time, I have messaged Eric Rowe for a statement on this but have not heard back from him. If I hear from Rowe, I will update this story.