Malcolm Butler didn't play a single snap on defense during Super Bowl LII in a mysterious move by the Patriots.

Butler played 97.8 percent of the defensive snaps in the regular season.

Eric Rowe started in place of Butler, who was visibly emotional during the national anthem.

"I could have changed that game," Butler told ESPN.

Butler arrived to Minneapolis one day after the team, on Tuesday, because of an illness that he said had him at the hospital.

Bill Belichick said there wasn't a disciplinary issue for why Butler didn't play.

Butler will be a free agent this offseason.