Bessent was a pitcher for the Generals in the late 1940s. After graduation Bessent was signed by the New York Yankees where he played minor league ball for two seasons. After taking a year off in 1952 Bessent was drafted by the Brooklyn Dodgers. Bessent was finally called up by the Dodgers to the Major League in 1955, where he pitched over 3 scoreless innings in route to the Dodgers winning the 1955 World Series. Bessent played for the Dodgers until September of 1958 compiling a 14-7 record, 4.05 ERA and 118 strikeouts, mostly coming out of the bullpen. Bessent retired in 1962 from baseball.
Butler was a defensive back for the Generals before graduating and moving on to play Safety for the Florida State Seminoles. At Florida State he started for 3 seasons accounting for 194 tackles and 9 interceptions. In 1990 Butler was selected by the Green Bay Packers with the 48th pick (2nd round) of the NFL Draft. Butler played for the Packers from 1990 to 2001 where he accumulated 953 tackles, 38 interceptions 12 fumble recoveries, 20.5 sacks and 3 defensive touchdowns. Along with his Super Bowl XXXI ring with the '96 Packers Butler won numerous awards for his playing days in the NFL earning 5 All-Pro selections, 4 Pro Bowl selections, was selected to the NFL 1990 All-Decade team, and was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame. Butler is credited with inventing the "Lambeau Leap" after jumping up into the arms of fans following a touchdown in 1993.
