By Darin In an era where the Ivy League ruled the gridiron, one man from America’s Dairyland forced the world to look West. Robert “Butts” Butler was a bruising, 60-minute lineman who became the first Wisconsin player ever to be named a First-Team All-American. As the cornerstone of the legendary 1912 “Pioneer Era” squad, Butler paved the way for a team that many believed was the best in the nation—if only the faculty had allowed them to prove it. From his low, driving blocks in the Madison snow to his place in the College Football Hall of Fame, “Butts” remains a foundational titan of Big Ten history.
Football Bio
April 4, 1891 – Alpena, Michigan – The University of Wisconsin’s brilliant tackle from 1911 to 1913, Bob “Butts” Butler, claimed his birthday.
Butts was a stout two-way tackle who knew how to hit opponents low and drive them to whatever location he wanted. The Badgers were considered by many to be the top team in the country in 1912, and Butler was the anchor of the lines for Wisconsin.
Many wanted to test the Badgers’ mettle by challenging Yale, but the Wisconsin faculty gave the idea the thumbs down, preventing the 1912 game from taking place. The Badgers, nevertheless, according to the NFF, went undefeated, blowing out rivals like Northwestern, Purdue, Minnesota, and even Arkansas. Nine players from the 1912 U of W squad were awarded All-American honors, including Bob Butler.
The National Football Foundation inducted Bob Butler into its College Football Hall of Fame in 1972.
Conclusion
Bob Butler’s career at Wisconsin was the spark that helped establish the Western Conference (now the Big Ten) as a legitimate rival to the Eastern powers. While his 1912 team was denied a national showdown against Yale, their undefeated 7-0 record and sheer dominance over their opponents left no doubt about their elite status. Butler’s individual brilliance—marked by his ability to dominate as a two-way tackle—set a standard for the “Wisconsin Lineman” that persists to this day. His induction into the Hall of Fame in 1972 serves as a permanent reminder of the man who first put the Badgers on the national All-American map.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1972.
- Consensus First-Team All-American: 1912 (The first All-American in Wisconsin history).
- Second-Team All-American: 1913.
- Western Conference Champion: 1912 (Undefeated 7-0 season).
- 2× First-Team All-Western Conference: 1912, 1913.
- UW Athletic Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1992.
- Pioneer Era Legend: Named top vote-getter for All-Conference honors on the 1912 squad.
- Ironman Performer: Known as a “60-minute player” who played through a broken thumb in 1912.
- Pro Career: Recruited by Jack Cusack to play for the Canton Bulldogs alongside Jim Thorpe in 1915.
