The B.C. Lions signed running back James Butler on Thursday.
James Butler is five foot eight and weighs 215 pounds. The 29-year-old from Chicago, Illinois, had 110 carries for 522 yards, two touchdowns, 45 catches for 372 yards, and one touchdown in 10 games for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2024. The Ticats released him on January 8, 2024.
The Oakland Raiders signed Butler as an undrafted free agent on July 30, 2018. In 2018, Butler had 14 carries for 26 yards in four preseason games. The Raiders released him on September 1, 2018. Next, he signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders on May 13, 2019, and was released on June 8, 2019. Butler re-signed with the Raiders on July 28, 2019.
In 2019, Butler had 48 carries for 134 yards, one touchdown, and 10 catches for 79 yards in four preseason games. He spent the 2019 season on the practice squad. The Houston Roughnecks signed Butler on January 8, 2020. In 2020, Butler had 46 carries for 221 yards, four touchdowns, 11 catches for 42 yards, one touchdown, and two tackles (2 solos) in five games before the league shutdown due to COVID-19.
The B.C. Lions signed Butler on December 9, 2020. Butler played two seasons with 311 carries for 1,557 yards, nine touchdowns, 92 catches for 627 yards, five touchdowns, and 16 kick returns for 325 yards in 28 games.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed Butler on February 15, 2023. In 2023, Butler had 235 carries for 1,116 yards, seven touchdowns, 61 catches for 527 yards, and one touchdown in 17 games.
Collegiately, Butler played one season at Iowa in 2017 with 91 carries for 396 yards, one touchdown, and four catches for 47 yards in nine games for the Hawkeyes. Then, he transferred to Nevada (2014-16) with 583 carries for 3,124 yards, 25 touchdowns, 49 catches for 438 yards, three touchdowns, and one tackle (1 solo) in 37 games for the Wolfpack.
