Even if Malcolm Butler is considered as the Super Bowl hero of the New England Patriots, he is not getting any special treatment from the team.

A relatively unknown football player before the Patriots enlisted him, Butler became famous when, during Super Bowl XLIX against Seattlet Seahawks, the rookie cornerback broke a pass by Seahawks' star quarterback Russell Wilson and delivered an unbelievable interception, with only a fraction of a minute remaining on the game clock, USA Today recalled. The move gave the Patriots its win.

However, the wheel turned again, and this time, the 25-year-old player is getting benched at the OTAs for being late in practice, ESPN reported, citing a source.

The source told the site that Butler was tardy during the first OTA practice on May 26 because his flight was cancelled due to bad weather. Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who has a strict policy on being late, reportedly decided to keep Butler off the field until Thursday, at the earliest.

The player understands his situation and the coach's decision, and even considers it as a lesson, the source claimed, adding that Butler will be more cautious and plans to fly a day earlier so that he will minimize being caught in weather-related problems.

Despite not being allowed on the field, Boston Herald reported that Butler was still participating in other activities, "attending all meetings, film sessions and weight room workouts."

The penalty is something Butler can also overcome, just like how he intercepted a pass for the Pats to become champions. Moreover, the hard times are what make people stronger, so to speak.

However, it seems the Patriots' disciplinary measure may have landed them in hot water.

Citing a source, Albert Breer from the NFL Network revealed on Twitter that the "NFLPA is indeed looking into potential violation of CBA Article 21, Section 5(a) by the Patriots."

Breer also provided a screen capture of the rule, and part of it states that, "No Club official may indicate to a player that the Club's offseason workout program or classroom instruction is not voluntary (or that a player's failure to participate in a workout program or classroom instruction will result in the player's failure to make the Club or result in any other adverse consequences affecting his working conditions)."

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