Massey named National Football Defensive Player of the Week

After garnering Jayhawk Conference Player of the Week honors, Norman Massey was named the NJCAA Defensive Player of the Week by the national office Tuesday afternoon.

Massey, a sophomore linebacker from Wichita, KS and Wichita East high school, anchored the Butler defense Saturday night in the Grizzlies 35-28 victory over No. 7 Garden City. Massey led the team in tackles with eight, seven solo and an assisted tackle. Massey also came up with an important quarterback sack on a big third down where he chased down the quarterback for a loss of 11-yards. Massey and the Butler defense held Garden City to just 3 of 11 on third downs on the night. 

"Norm (Norman) was great for us Saturday night," commented head coach Brice Vignery. "He plays with so much energy and passion that I am not surprised when he goes and does the things he does on the field. Very proud of him and happy to see him get the national recognition he deserves."

This marks the first Grizzly to earn NJCAA Player of the Week honors since the spring 2021 season when Nickendre Stiger picked up Defensive Player of the Week honors after a 34-7 win over Highland.