John Butler (1946 – April 11, 2003) was a National Football League general manager of the Buffalo Bills and the San Diego Chargers. A native of Chicago, Butler spent four years in the Marines and saw active duty in Vietnam. After his discharge, he enrolled at San Bernardino Junior College, then went to the University of Illinois, where he played one season on the offensive line before a knee injury cut short his playing career. Butler died of lymphoma onApril 11, 2003. He was 56.