After Battlehawks fans were graced with the 2025 Schedule, fans received better news Thursday afternoon. Per MLFootball, and the UFL PR, it was announced that 2024 Offensive Player of the Year Hakeem Butler is returning to the team.
Butler returns to St. Louis for his Third season with the Battlehawks, after being selected in the 5th round of the XFL’s supplemental draft. The former 4th round NFL draft pick, found his way to the Battlehawks via a DM to Head Coach Anthony Becht after being released in August of 2022.
Butler has put together Two consecutive seasons of All-Conference selections in the XFL and UFL, including his Offensive Player of the Year Honors in 2024. For Two consecutive seasons Butler has earned NFL opportunities with the Steelers and Bengals respectively, unfortunately not making an Active Roster or Practice Squad. Over the past Two seasons Butler has totaled 96 Receptions, 1261 Receiving Yards and 13 Touchdowns.
Butler’s return leaves only Willie Harvey, Mike Rose, and Andre Szmyt as the only Battlehawks who have yet to return from their NFL contracts. Recently Szmyt was released from a weeklong practice squad stint with the Browns and is now available to return. Currently the Battlehawks are set to begin their season on March 28th against the Houston Roughnecks at TDECU stadium.
