Rain or shine, downtown will be shaking Saturday with The Sounds of Dynamite, The Sonic Boom of the South and former NFL players from Mississippi as they shower hometown and Super Bowl XLIX hero Malcom Butler with confetti.
The Sounds of Dynamite band from Alcorn State University and The Sonic Boom of the South band from Jackson State University and former Mississippi NFL players such as Glen Collins, Jimmie Smith, Chris Burkett, Tyrone Keys, and Fred Smoot are featured parade attractions.
The parade will begin on Belmont Street and follow along Washington Street to China Street then onto Mulberry Street, ending at the Vicksburg Convention Center.
“I am honored and humbled by the hometown support I have received,” Butler said. “I look forward to celebrating the great season and Super Bowl win with my hometown. It has been a whirlwind since the Super Bowl but I am excited to be home.”
Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs Jr. will present Butler the Key to The City after the parade at a special ceremony at the Vicksburg Convention Center. Flaggs has declared Feb. 17 through 22 Malcolm Butler Week.
“We salute Malcolm for never giving up on his dreams and proving that through hard work and a strong faith in God that anything in life can be accomplished. His dedication and determination has guided him to be the successful individual that he is today,” Flaggs said. “He is truly an inspiration for all of us. Again, congratulations to our hometown hero Malcolm Butler!”
Parade organizer Angela Jenkins said the parade would also feature local cheerleaders, high school bands and community groups. Vicksburg High School’s band, St Aloysius and Warren Central High schools dance teams along with representatives from Porters Chapel Academy will turn out to show their support for Butler.
Jenkins expects a big turnout for the parade. “Right now we have about 80 entries for the parade,” Jenkins said.
Any group or organization wishing to participate can pick up an application at the Vicksburg High School JROTC Building on Lee Street across from Memorial Stadium, or they can contact Jenkins at 601-214-6922. There is no fee to enter the parade, but entry forms must be returned to the VHS JROTC building by 3 p.m. Wednesday.
After the festivities Butler will be signing autographs from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the convention center. “People can’t bring anything for him to sign, Butler has to sign what we will have available for him to sign,” Jenkins said. “Only 20 people at a time will be allowed into the convention center, so the line will move fast.”
Jenkins said anyone entering the convention center would have to pass through a security screening by the Vicksburg Police Department.
A graduate of Vicksburg High School and the University of West Alabama, Butler, a defensive back for the Patriots, gained immediate fame when he intercepted a Russell Wilson pass with 26 seconds remaining in the Super Bowl to clinch the 28-24 win for New England.
Butler barely played in the first half the Super Bowl game against Seattle, then moved into the defensive lineup halfway through the third quarter with the Patriots trailing 24-14.
On Seattle’s final drive, quarterback Russell Wilson kept throwing in the rookie’s direction. Wilson threw a pass deep down the right sideline intended for Kearse. Butler jumped, reached back and made a spectacular play to knock the ball down.
On the next play, Butler made a beeline toward the spot where Wilson needed to throw the ball to Lockette and beat the receiver there by a fraction of a second to snag the first interception of his career.
Butler collided with Lockette, got knocked back into the end zone, then sprawled forward to the 1-yard line and directly into NFL lore.