Steelers HOF’er Jack Butler poses with his bust at the enshrinement ceremony. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

What We Learned This Week in the NFL Offseason:

• Steelers HOF’er Jack Butler passes at 85
• Redskins owner says team will never change name
• Ryan Tannehill excited to play with Mike Wallace
• Titus Young can’t stop getting arrested

Steeler Nation had some sad news this weekend as word broke that newly enshrined Steelers HOF’er Jack Butler had passed away at the age of 85.  Butler’s son, Mike, was recently hired by the Steelers as a scout this past week.  Butler, a Pittsburgh native, had 52 career interceptions and owns the best interception percentage (50.5) of any player in the Hall of Fame.  The Steelers released statements on the passing of Jack Butler.  Here is Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney’s statement:

“Jack was a tremendous player who ranked among the best in league history with his 52 interceptions while only playing 12 games a year.  He was a versatile player who was also used as a wide receiver, but his career ended unfortunately too soon with a bad knee injury.  He was an excellent person both on and off the field, and he played an integral role in the BLESTO scouting program and our entire draft process before his retirement.  His family was very close to the entire Rooney family, and he will be missed.  Our condolences are with his family through this very tough time.”

The growing support over the sentiment that it’s finally time for the Washington Redskins to change their team’s name out of respect for its offense to Native Americans was squashed this week when owner Dan Snyder came out to say that the team would never consider a name change.  Recently debate over the name has increased as lawmakers who apparently had a free calendar or something decided to take on the debate of the use of Indian mascots by sports teams.  Seems as though the word “redskin” was “the equivalent of the n-word”.  Apparently that makes no difference to Snyder, feeling that the team’s traditions trumps whatever groups might be offended by the name.  Seems silly to hold onto a name so strongly in the same city where the basketball team changed their name to avoid the association with violence, but hey that’s just me.

Ryan Tannehill is apparently excited with his new offensive weapon in former Steelers WR Mike Wallace.  In other news, the sky is blue.  Seriously, it’s not difficult to assume that whatever quarterback landed Wallace on their team was going to be stoked about it.  The Dolphins made some big acquisitions this offseason as opposed to their usual tradition of whiffing on the big names available in the offseason like HC Jeff Fisher and QB Peyton Manning.  So Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland isn’t considered the biggest goat of this offseason.  Just remember, no one wins Super Bowls in the offseason though.

This story about former Lions WR Titus Young was just too ridiculous to ignore.  The free agent receiver as arrested for the third time in less than seven days late Friday in California.  Reports are the receiver was charged with burglary, assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest.  Last Saturday Young was arrested and charged with suspicion of driving under the influence and later that same day was arrested for attempting to steal his own car from an impound lot.  Last season for the Lions Young nabbed 33 catches for 383 yards and 4 touchdowns.  Seems as though he’s better at getting arrested than he is at being an NFL wide receiver.  No word yet on how many times in one week one has to be arrested before Roger Goodell takes notice.  I realize he’s a free agent, but why have a guy associated with the league that literally cannot stay out of jail?

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Bettis' odds this year are pretty good at getting into the HOF. How will Dawson and senior member, Butler, fair?

The HOF committee pared down the list of 26 semi-finalists for the Class of 2012 to 15 finalists and two senior nominees (one of them being CB Jack Butler of the Steelers).  Jerome Bettis and Dermontti Dawson are still on that list.  Now Steelers Nation must wait until February 4th until the committee then votes on who finally gets in.

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