Photo: UFL. Photo edit: 3DownNation.
The Ottawa Redblacks placed American receiver Hakeem Butler on their exclusive negotiation list over the weekend. The move was reflected on the CFL’s official tracker.
The 30-year-old recently attended training camp with the Denver Broncos. He dressed for two preseason games and was targeted four times before being waived.
Butler is one of the most decorated players in UFL history. Over four seasons with the St. Louis Battlehawks, he recorded 138 catches for 2,192 yards and 20 touchdowns. He is a two-time All-UFL selection, has twice led the league in receiving yards, and twice been selected as the Offensive Player of the Year.
The six-foot-five, 242-pound target was originally a fourth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. He has since had stints with the Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cincinnati Bengals. He has dressed for two regular-season NFL games and been targeted once.
The native of Baltimore, Md. also had stints with the B.C. Lions and Edmonton Elks in 2022. He dressed for two regular-season CFL games and made one catch for five yards.
As per a league spokesperson, non-veteran CFL players can still be added to negotiation lists. Players must be credited with a minimum of seven games in one season or eight games over multiple seasons in order to reach veteran status.
Butler played collegiately at Iowa State University, where he made 110 catches for 2,149 yards and 18 touchdowns over 36 games.
CFL teams can claim the rights to up to 45 players via the negotiation list on a first-come, first-served basis, provided that they are not eligible for the Canadian or Global Drafts, and do not have CFL veteran status. These players can be added, traded, or removed from the list at any time.
Being added to a negotiation list does not mean that the player has expressed interest in the CFL, and some are unaware that their rights have even been claimed. Players can only force their removal from the list if the team does not provide them with a minimum contract offer at their request.
The Ottawa Redblacks (0-11) are currently on their third of three bye weeks.
