The heroic son returns home Saturday.

As you by now know, Malcolm Butler etched his name in NFL history with a game-sealing interception at the 1-yard line to hand the New England Patriots the Super Bowl. It was, without a doubt, the biggest moment of his professional life, and one that he probably won’t be able to top unless he does it next year with a Popeye’s drumstick in his hand.

Butler will be coming back to Vicksburg this Saturday for a parade being thrown in his honor that will culminate with him being handed the keys to the city.

Calling it a homecoming party would be an understatement. The City of Vicksburg is expecting hundreds of excited citizens to line the streets of downtown Saturday afternoon to welcome home their new crown jewel. It might not be on the same level as the Pats’ million-person victory parade through the streets of Boston, but this one will have all the southern charm and unique quaintness that makes this city so special.

Even before Malcolm Butler was “Malcolm Butler,” it seemed as if everyone I met in Vicksburg had a story or fond memory of the new overnight star. When he came back to Vicksburg High in November, students rushed to take pictures with him, give him high fives and reminisce on games of old. Teachers gave him hugs, principals shook his hand enthusiastically and, yes, most girls giggled as they talked about how cute they thought he was.

It was an unusual sight to see, such an afterthought on the Patriots’ roster at the time receiving so much attention just for making it to the next level. But that’s why Vicksburg is considered such a close-knit community, as seen by outsiders like me.

People knew Malcolm Butler before he was the most famous Butler, before he had his own website or Tom Brady’s truck or an open invitation to any talk show he wanted to go on.

He was just the quiet, humble workhorse who loved to make money playing the only game he’s ever loved.

On Saturday, he’ll be honored for that with a ceremony reserved for a foreign dignitary.

If you went to high school with Butler, or if you taught him in second grade, or if you remembered seeing him at the mall or inside Chick-fil-A one time does not matter. You should still come out to celebrate his unbelievable accomplishment Saturday with the rest of the city.

He deserves the praise.

And Vicksburg deserves his heroics.

•

Cory Gunkel is a reporter. He can be reached at 601636-4545, Ext. 178 or by