On December 26, 1993, LeRoy Butler forced a fumble. That play would set a chain of events into motion that would break a 10-season Packers playoff drought, send the defensive back into the stands, and change the way players celebrate in Green Bay—and the NFL as a whole—for years to come.
Today marks the 25th anniversary of the first known occurrence of what would eventually be called the “Lambeau Leap.” Since that first fateful jump, countless Packers players have punctuated touchdowns by making their way into the stands to let loose with fans. The interactive celebration inspired a song by one of Butler’s teammates and, through the years, would be something that would be replicated throughout the league.
We recently had an opportunity to speak with Butler. Naturally, the conversation eventually made its way to the topic of the historic event. To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the first Lambeau Leap, we paired Butler’s story about the unforgettable experience with some custom-made illustrations, and made this video. Special thanks to Andy Tyra for the illustrations, and LeRoy Butler for taking the time to speak with us.