Attempts to silence Chiefs’ kicker Harrison Butker after he defended traditional values during a commencement speech at a Catholic college have backfired spectacularly. Not only did the team give him a new contract that makes him the highest-paid kicker in the NFL but for the first time, his NFL gear is selling better than popular teammate Travis Kelce, “The Daily Wire” reported.
In a list from the NFL Players Association of the top 50 players with the highest sales of official NFL-licensed merchandise, Butker came in at No. 11. Star quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ sales beat out both Kelce and Butker’s, coming in second place behind only the 0Houston Texans’ C.J. Stroud, The list was compiled between March 1 and May 31, weeks after Butker made headlines for the commencement address he gave at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan., in which he praised his wife for being a homemaker, called out President Joe Biden’s support for abortion and criticized LGBTQ pride month.
“How many of you are sitting here now, about to cross this stage, and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you are going to get in your career?” he asked. “Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world. But I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.
“It cannot be overstated that all of my success is made possible because a girl I met in band class back in middle school would convert to the faith, become my wife and embrace one of the most important titles of all: homemaker.”
A Change.org petition was started calling for the three-time Super Bowl champion to be dismissed from the team for his “discriminatory” remarks to graduates at the college. Kelce later broke his silence about Butker amid the backlash against his teammate, calling him a “great person.”
“I have known him for seven-plus, eight-plus years,” Kelce said. “I cherish him as a teammate. I think Pat Mahomes said it best where he is every bit of a great person and a great teammate. He’s treated friends and family that I’ve introduced to him with nothing but respect and kindness. That’s how he treats everyone.”
–Alan Goforth | Metro Voice and the DailyWire