The official completed pass definition

[QuantumMechanic]

Here's the rule, from the actual 2015 rulebook (not the "Digest of Rules")

Rule 8, Section 1, Article 3:

ARTICLE 3. COMPLETED OR INTERCEPTED PASS

A player who makes a catch may advance the ball. A forward pass is complete (by the offense) or intercepted (by the defense) if a player, who is inbounds:

1. secures control of the ball in his hands or arms prior to the ball touching the ground; and
2. touches the ground inbounds with both feet or with any part of his body other than his hands; and
3. maintains control of the ball after (a) and (b) have been fulfilled, until he has clearly become a runner (see 3-2-7 Item 2).

and Rule 3, Section 2, Article 7, Item 2 says:

Item 2. Possession of Loose Ball. To gain possession of a loose ball that has been caught, intercepted, or recovered, a player must have complete control of the ball and have both feet or any other part of his body, other than his hands, completely on the ground inbounds, and then maintain control of the ball until he has clearly become a runner. A player becomes a runner when he is capable of avoiding or warding off impending contact of an opponent. If the player loses the ball while simultaneously touching both feet or any other part of his body to the ground, there is no possession. This rule applies in the field of play and in the end zone.

It's pretty clear, especially from that bolded bit, that the Butler play was properly ruled an incomplete pass.

 

[JMC00]

The people that keep saying "but a guy can fumble after he breaks the goal line", infuriate me.

Ya because he is an established runner if he fumbles before he breaks the goal line its a fumble.

 

[QuantumMechanic]

^^^ God, yeah.

 

[Angelpats]

We should be praising butlers pass breakup and not further justifying why it was a not a td. Let all the haters and giants fans cry their hearts out.