The “Sam The Butcher” banner has many fans wondering to whom the sign refers. There are no Sam’s on the current University of Louisville roster and haven’t been for several years. Yet the banner has been a constant fixture in the southeast end of the Crunch Zone during Louisville football games. The sign, hung each game by Ken Mushrush, is a satirical salute to a likeable Brady Bunch character played by actor Allen Melvin who ran a butcher shop in the TV series during the early Seventies. Must have been quite a character. Photo by Menefee Seay.
How does relate to Louisville football?
We cover UofL Sports, particularly football, from the parking to the field and everywhere else in between. That’s how it relates.
I’m scratching my head about this too. I well remember Sam the Butcher from that show. One of my favorite episodes involved Sam taking Alice to the annual meat-cutters ball. But I’m wondering how this ties in with Louisville football.
In the absence of any further explanation to the contrary, I will assume that this sign is a tribute to the great Sam Madison. It may serve as an exhortation to the current Cards to “carve” up the other team like he used to.
“Sam the butcher” is also a street term for dismantling a foe. As in: “the dude went sam the butcher all over him.”
Yeah, I’m street…LOL