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Josh Butler's dogs star at Michigan State's 'Meet the Spartans'

Chase Michaelson
Special to the Detroit Free Press

EAST LANSING — The biggest stars of Michigan State football’s “Meet the Spartans” fan event Monday have never played for the Spartans. 

Roxy and Remi, senior cornerback Josh Butler’s boxer-pitbull mixes, ran around under the autograph table while Butler talked to fans. Roxy, the two-year-old older sister, rummaged through Butler’s backpack in search of snacks while Remi, the four-month-old pup, sat on Butler’s lap.

One young female fan brought Butler a picture she drew of him and the dogs. Butler started a Twitter account for Roxy in January and added Remi to the account when she was born three months later. He said he uses them as training aids — running with them to work on speed drills and doing push-ups with Remi on his back. 

MSU's Josh Butler with his dogs Remi and Roxy on Monday at Spartan Stadium.

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They’re well-known among Butler’s teammates, as well. Linebacker Antjuan Simmons and defensive tackle DeAri Todd have dogs who play with them, and defensive tackle Raequan Williams is partial to Remi. Williams is big, Remi is small, it works.

Butler has lost both parents in the past two years, and he said the dogs’ unconditional love is something he treasures. He has taken them to Meijer, Walmart, and when he walks them around the neighborhood, they are recognized more than him. 

“They’re real chill, especially Roxy,” Butler said. “We just hang out and have fun. It’s a pretty good deal.” 

A young fan's drawing of Josh Butler and his two dogs.

The dogs’ energy was evident Monday, with Roxy getting loose a couple times and running up to interact with fans. When coach Mark Dantonio’s wife Becky came and sat near Butler, Remi recognized her and jumped to her, licking her face in excitement.

The fifth-year senior from Dallas smiled when asked how important the dogs were to him.

“My main focus in life is honestly school, my dogs, and football,” Butler said.

Lewerke's parents filled with pride

Brian Lewerke greets fans during the Meet the Spartans event Monday.

Angela and David Lewerke, senior quarterback Brian’s parents, made it to their first “Meet the Spartans” Monday after coming out from their home in Arizona. They stood to the side as hundreds of fans came up to get posters, shirts, and footballs signed by their son.

“It’s honestly a little overwhelming,” Angela said. “There’s a lot of people here, and there isn’t really a break. It’s kind of crazy.”

She beamed with pride when one young fan told Brian he was his hero. 

“It’s really fun to see the impact that Brian and the rest of the players can have on kids,” she said. “It’s awesome hearing them talk and seeing how excited they are to meet him. He loves this kind of thing.”

A few fans recognized the Lewerkes and came to speak to them, but they stayed for the most part anonymous, which Angela said was preferable.

“I don’t mind talking to people, but the focus should be on Brian and his teammates,” she said. 

One fan who was thrilled to talk to Lewerke was an eight-year old also named Brian. He said Lewerke had been his favorite player since he found out MSU had a quarterback with the same name as him.

Brian told Lewerke to keep his head up and not listen to any criticism of his play last season, when he struggled with a shoulder injury.

“He’s a really good quarterback,” Brian said of his namesake. “I think he’s gonna throw a bunch of touchdowns this year.”

So did Brian say anything else to Lewerke?

“I told him to beat Michigan.”

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