One of the first Pro Bowlers in Falcons history has reportedly passed away.
Tailback Jim “Cannonball” Butler, who played eight NFL seasons and rushed for 2,768 yards, passed away on February 10, D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Monday.
A 14th-round pick of the Steelers out of Edward Waters College in Jacksonville in 1965, the 70-year-old Butler played for Atlanta for 1968-1972 after spending his first three NFL seasons with Pittsburgh. Butler was named to the Pro Bowl in 1969 after rushing for 655 yards and racking up 297 yards receiving.
According the Journal-Constitution, the 70-year-old Butler is survived by a son and a daughter.