The video captures a ceremonial event at Tyler Junior College (TJC) where NBA star Jimmy Butler III returns to his alma mater to be honored. Chancellor and CEO Mike Metcalf welcomes Butler, recounts his time at TJC (2007‑2008), and presents several symbolic recognitions: a "Key to the City" proclamation from Tyler, the naming of the Jimmy Butler III Lobby in the campus gym, and induction into the Tyler Junior College Sports Circle of Honor. Butler reflects on his early days, sharing anecdotes about teammates, a strict coach, and the bond formed with fellow players, emphasizing his work ethic, aversion to failure, and gratitude toward the community. Metcalf highlights Butler's drive, humility, and relentless pursuit of improvement, noting how Butler sought answers after a loss and used that experience to fuel his growth. The ceremony includes a group photo, lighthearted banter, and expressions of mutual appreciation, underscoring the lasting impact of Butler's college experience on both his personal development and the pride of the Tyler community.
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A lot of kids would shy away from the controversy or shy away from the coaching, and he just craved it. And I always thought that was one of the things I told the Bulls at the time that was gonna be great, I thought, about him is that he wanted to be great. He wanted to outwork you, but he hated, he hated failure. [MUSIC] This is where it starts.
[MUSIC] Tyler, Texas. We're officially in route. In route. I've been gone for 10 years. Wow. Full circle, think about that. I wonder, I wonder who, um, if I get to see any of my teachers.
Dr. Math.
I do remember Dr. Math. Hands, hands, hands, hands. Who can tell me?
Marcus just like, huh?
You know what? Maybe this is gonna be a team that's just gonna stick together. Finally, The Rock has come back.
And here comes The Rock.
The Rock has finally returned home. I haven't been back here in so damn long. I think the— And they changed their logo. Yes, I was gonna say, they changed the logo in the middle. Other than that, it's all pretty much the same. It's still cold in here, I see you too. How are you?
I'm good. Thanks for coming.
Thank you.
Thank you, baby.
Mike Metcalf, good to see you, man. How you doing?
Thank you.
Appreciate you.
That rent?
Can I see in your bag?
Good morning, I'm Mike Metcalf. It's my honor to serve this great college as Chancellor and CEO. We're so glad you joined us as we recognize and honor one of our own, Jimmy Butler. Jimmy was an outstanding player at TJC during the 2007-2008 year. He transferred to Marquette University. He was drafted by the NBA in 2011. We're excited that he came back to TJC today and he's allowing us to help celebrate his success. It's a proclamation by the City of Tyler for Jimmy Butler Day, September 8th, 2018. In 2007, when TJC head basketball coach Mike Marquise recognized his talent, Jimmy quickly—
Did I say that name wrong?
I've been on council for 6 years, and we do not give away keys to the city.
Ever. Thank you.
So this is a big deal. I'm kind of happy for you and proud to be able to hand this over to you.
Key to the city. I appreciate you. Thank you.
Absolutely. Congratulations, man.
Oh yeah, give me Rand. Rand, give me.
And to announce the naming of the Jimmy Butler Iii Lobby here in TJC's bike staff gym, if you come take a look, we've got something here.
What we got?
Let's see.
Oh, wow.
Yo, Ram.
Well, I tell you what. Let me read from your notes.
Right here. Jimmy speaks.
Yeah, got you. I think TJC is where it all started for me when it comes to college. Basketball. I met some incredible teammates. And the one story that I tell everybody, it had to be the, I don't know, first or second day we were here and we're in the locker room and I never snitch on anybody. Let's just get that out the way. I never do that. And we're sitting in the locker room and the first thing Coach says is, don't let your cell phones ring in the locker room. But one guy decides to not put his phone on vibrate. I would tell you now that that person was Reggie Nelson, who's foreign. Hey, Reggie Nelson, he's foreign with us. Man, I thank him to this day, man, 'cause don't nobody know that story but me and him, 'cause I never told anybody. I've never told anybody, but that story, but that right there just goes to show the type of bonds that I built here at TJC and how it all started. This is where it all began for me. I'm grateful. Thank you for all of this. This is much more than I could have ever imagined. To you, Reggie, you know, I would have never thought it. But I knew it. I had a feeling. You know, you was a little stocky thing back in the day. You could have whooped me. Not now.
But, uh—
[SPEAKING CHINESE] So I kept my mouth shut. But seriously, thank you. Um, everybody for being here. I ran to get a haircut. Thank you.
I know a young man that was a little different than the public sees today. I remember a sensitive, warm, young, caring young man that came in that was always driven, but also was very conscious of how he looked, who he was. To understand Jimmy inside is he's greatly, greatly motivated to be successful. We didn't play very well. We were a top 10 team in the country and we lost. And by about 10 o'clock the next morning after the game, he was in my office just searching for answers on how to be better. And from that day forward, I always thought he was gonna be great because most people pout through failure. In his case, he just continued to say, "Okay, I made a mistake. I was wrong, but I'm not gonna do it again." And then he just exploded the rest of the year.
How, like say, how stern and strict Coach Marcus was, like, don't get me wrong, he got a great personality. He was cool off the court, but as soon as we touched that court, it was, there was no plan to win. I was the one beating him in 2K and college basketball was out then. That's a lie. That was all me beating him. All of that's a lie. I was beating Jimmy back then on the game and cards and everything, dominoes, that was me, that was me. He just lied about everything just now. Jimmy used to claim he was from Houston and we were like, Tomball is not Houston, so. We all created a bond within that year, you know, just a brotherhood that, you know, could never be broken. I remember the first time walking down I know I ended the game with 33 points. And with that 33 points, I was asking myself, "Is this real? Can I really score 33 points on a nightly basis?" And then the next time I came out, 35 points. So I knew that I belong here. This is where it started for me. Right here on these two baskets. Let's go, take a pack!
Jimmy Butler, 2016, the first Apache ever to win an Olympic medal. Congratulations, our newest inductee into the Tyler Junior College Sports Circle of Honor, Jimmy Butler Iii. You get to wear my jacket.
I want you to put it on. Put it on, man.
You look good. I want all our members to midcourt to join this group for a group photo.
Hey! Hold on now.
Hey, man.
[FOREIGN LANGUAGE] Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you.
First of all, I want to begin by whoever talking about my swag over there, I can dress better than whoever it is, first off. [LAUGHTER] Secondly, thank you everybody for being here. This is a real honor for me. I got a lot of love for Tyler, TJC, and all the people that have something to do with this amazing, amazing school. We got a long season ahead, but thank you everybody for being here. I'm so very appreciative. I'm so very thankful for everything that the city of Tyler has given to me, has done for me. Once I got here, I understood what hard work was really gonna do do for you.
What?
For you ain't worth shit. Did you only shave the outside of your legs? All in all, man, this is home. Always will be. Always so much love for Tyler Junior College. This is where it started. My gym, my town.
