Check our exclusive interview with the talented NFL Arizona Cardinals Wide Receiver Brice Butler.
Brice played college football at The University of Southern California and San Diego State. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders and played the last two seasons as a member of the Dallas Cowboys, before signing a multi-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals this off season.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Prepared, classy, and dedicated.
Name one of your strengths?
Being prepared is a strength of mine as I believe when you are prepared you can achieve your best in any situation. I’m pretty dedicated to my passions and I work hard at everything I do. I’m focused on getting better at whatever I’m focused on. Whether it’s football, being a husband and father, DJ’ing, golf…whatever, I am always prepared and ready to go to work that day!
Who has been the biggest influence on your life so far?
My dad. He played in the NFL, so growing up I always wanted to be like my dad. He has been able to help me and given me advice and counsel throughout my career. If he wasn’t the right guy in a certain situation, he always knew who the right guy was that could help me.
How did you get started into the Football life?
Man I was real young! Since I was a kid, I played everything. Keeping me off the court or field was hard. I remember I was in first grade, and watching dad playing in the NFL. All I remember thinking is, “I want to do what my dad does.”
What is your philosophy on discipline?
Dedication! You have to commit to doing whatever it takes to be prepared and get better every day. Be ready to sacrifice. If you are in the middle of training, you can’t be up all night so you have to sacrifice some of your social life and time with friends. You have to stay healthy which means eating right, even when that pizza looks good. If you know me, you know I love golf! It’s tough, but sometimes I have to give up playing because I need to be focused on something specific for my training for next season.
What has been your favorite play in your NFL career?
My favorite play is yet to come…
What’s your advice for the newer players or rookies?
You will have to be your own disciplinarian. We talked about sacrifice. I always tell the guys the biggest difference between college football and pro football is you don’t have somebody else holding your hand and telling you what you need to do and when.
In the NLF, you can’t show up late or you might get fired. This is a professional job. You have to be your own mentor, counsel, and tutor. You have to build yourself up. You may be lucky enough to end up with a cool teammate like Larry Fitzgerald, or me (hah) that can mentor a player and help guide them. But in the end, you have to hold yourself accountable as nobody is going to tell you to work on your game. Even if they do, the coach isn’t always available to work on your game specifically, so you have to be prepared to do it on your own. You have to be dedicated to improving yourself always.
You have played in three big NFL organizations like the Oakland Raiders, Dallas Cowboys and now you will be with the Arizona Cardinals. Please tell us about it?
It has been great to be able to experience different structures and business at each organization. Every team operates a little bit differently and if you pay attention, you can learn a lot! I have goals both on and off the field, and watching how each organization approaches and handles all aspects of the game has been really enlightening.
How exciting is it to play along one of the Top WR in the league and future Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald?
So far it has been good. It has been great to learn from him and see how he goes about his business every day. He is a cool guy who likes to have fun and is involved in a lot of charitable work. Above all else, he is a professional, and always focused on his game. Larry loves to travel, but you can bet he always brings his training with him. It’s been good to be able to pick his brain and hear him talk about the game from his perspective, he’s got a lot of knowledge to offer and I am soaking it all up!
On the USC Trojans or San Diego State games, do you still watch or attend games and support them?
Yeah, I still watch both teams play. Obviously, USC is on TV more, so I can catch more games. I like both teams and try to keep up with what is going on. I was lucky enough to attend a USC game the past two years in Dallas since they played in our stadium. It’s always fun to go back.
What would like to do after your football career?
Fashion and golf. I’m very passionate about my style, and I’d love to have my own brand. I also want to join the journey towards being a PGA Tour professional. I think it would be cool to qualify for a U.S. Open one day!
If you were not a footballer, then what would you like to be?
If I wasn’t playing I would still like to work within the industry in a broadcast or analyst role. I love the game and know it will always be one of my greatest passions.
When did you start to love of fashion?
I’ve always loved fashion. Growing up as a kid, I always wanted to dress nicely. Back then when I wasn’t buying my own clothes I couldn’t always get what I wanted. Once I started making my own money I could finally start focusing on my style a little bit more. When I made it to the NFL I started meeting designers and learning more about the industry. Now I have some very specific looks I like, and can wear what I want to wear. It’s great!
Who are some of your favorite designers?
Berluti, Isaia, Pyer Moss, Givenchy, Dior Homme, and Valentino.
How would you explain your fashion style and what items in your closet can you not be without?
I like the classy look. I wear street clothes but like to wear business executive chic. I cannot be without a simple pair of black jeans. I always like to have white shoes and a white button-up shirt.
Where do you get inspiration for your style?
Dwayne Wade dresses well, and so does Russell Westbrook. The runways always inspire me. It’s art how they style the models on the runway; it is great for inspiration. I always look at Farfetch and Mr. Porter – when I’m looking for something specific like overcoats. These sites show ways to style the right way and put a specific piece or look together.
Do you have a personal stylist or do you make all of your fashion picks?
I have a personal stylist, Kesha McLeod. She’s amazing and I love working with her. She styles me for all our big events. Otherwise, I style myself for games and every day life.
Are you thinking of having your own fashion clothing brand in the near future?
Absolutely! That is something I would love and definitely a possibility. The thing for me is, if I do it, it has to be done right.
How do you spend your spare time?
Most of my time away from football is focused on family. If I have spare time outside of that, I’m on the golf course!
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. He was my favorite person growing up. I loved watching him wrestle. To see what he turned his platform into today is inspiring, I think it is awesome! He seems like a dope dude.
In five years from now, where do you see yourself and your career?
I see myself still playing and being one of the top receivers in the game.
What is your favorite healthy food?
Broccoli and asparagus.
And what is your favorite cheat food?
Any type of candy.
What music do you like?
I like good vibes. Anything that has a good vibe means the beats are uplifting and lyrics that are smart and not ignorant.
Favorite song? Why?
Lane 8’s song ‘No Captain.’
What books or movies are your favorites and why?
Movie – The Batman Dark Knight trilogy – I’m a big superhero guy! I thought these were done really well.
Book – The Richest Man Who Ever Lived – it is based on wisdom from the book of proverbs, and it teaches you how to successfully implement that wisdom into your daily life both personally and professionally.
A perfect Sunday is…?
Winning a football game and celebrating with my family afterwards.
Three things you can’t leave home without?
Clothes, my backpack, and golf clubs.
What do you think of Social Media?
It is a great way to connect with fans and brands, but just like anything else, too much of something can be bad for you.
Where can we follow you?
Twitter @brice_butler
Instagram @brice_butler
Next travel destination: Dallas
Favorite Actor/Actress: Will Smith
Favorite Quote: Not by anyone specifically but what I remind myself each day. “Control what you can control.”
Favorite Drink: Strawberry lemonade
Photo Credit: Phil-Daniel Ducasse @philipdanielducasse
