(From left to right) Trevor, Harry, Hank and Levi Leyland pose for a picture during the presentation of the Hometown Hero Award at Butler High School on Sept. 22.

BUTLER TWP — After 46 years of involvement in Butler football as a player, coach and mentor, Hank Leyland has retired.

So he says. His wife of 36 years disagrees.

“He's never going to be retired,” Terry Leyland said. “This is only a break. He loves it too much.

“Football is his passion, and Hank will always be there to help. He doesn't do it for the attention. He doesn't want the accolades.”

That's why Leyland, 56, appeared a bit uneasy and out of his element last Friday night while receiving the Butler Football Hometown Hero of the Year Award.

As his good friend and Hometown Hero committee member Ralph McElhaney spoke of Leyland's career during a pre-game gathering in the Butler Vo-Tech building, Leyland himself just sat, his eyes fixed downward.

“People don't know everything this man has done,” said McElhaney, who coached 30 years with Leyland. “He's mowed the (midget league) field with his own mower, bought food for the concession stand, worked with members of his family in the concession stand.

“He's helped put up buildings down there (at Memorial Park). This goes way beyond coaching for him.”

A full report will appear in the Butler Eagle.