The Kansas City Chiefs’ ace kicker, Harrison Butker, is back in the news.
Recently, the star NFL kicker was in the public eye for more than just his gameplay, including his viral commencement speech at Benedictine College.
In his speech, Butker attributed his success to a girl he encountered in middle school band class, who later converted to his faith, became his wife, and took on the role of homemaker. His comments during his speech about Pride Month and certain political policies caused quite a stir.
Prominent figures like Katy Perry, Chelsea Handler, and Serena Williams, among others, voiced their disapproval. A Change.org petition asking for the Chiefs to let go of Butker collected nearly 240,000 signatures, labeling his comments as “sexist, homophobic, anti-trans, anti-abortion, and racist.” Despite the criticism, the team’s ownership, the head coach, and his teammates rallied behind Butker.
Amid the controversy, Butker stood firm. He asserted that the “shocking level of hate” would not dissuade him from being “unapologetic” about his faith. Speaking at a gala in Nashville, he said, “If it wasn’t clear that the timeless Catholic values are hated by many, it is now.” He observed that his beliefs have been a topic of broad global discussions.
Well, now he’s the highest-paid kicker in the league.
Butker inked a 4-year contract extension worth a massive $26 million. This significant contract catapults him to the top of the list as the highest-paid kicker in the NFL on a yearly basis.
At 29, Butker has had another impressive season in his kitty, ranking among the premier kickers in field goal percentage, extra-point percentage, and total points. Playing a pivotal role, Butker helped guide his team to achieve its second consecutive Super Bowl victory last year.
Adding some more spark to the deal, Butker’s new contract guarantees him a whopping $17.75 million. Remarkably, Butker represented himself and was personally involved in the negotiations of the deal. Butker has also caught
During his seven-year tenure in the NFL, feedback he received has been mixed, largely based on his performance. In Butker’s view, his dedication to discussing his Catholic faith has made him a polarizing figure—a decision he consciously made and harbors no regrets about. That’s all we have for now. Keep checking back for more sports news and updates.
