Pro-family, pro-faith kicker signs massive contract extension

Just months after Harrison Butker became the target of progressive liberals for his graduation remarks at a Catholic college, the All-Pro kicker has signed a record-breaking contract extension with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Butker, who has helped the Chiefs win three Super Bowls in five years, will earn $25.6 million over the next four seasons, with $17.75 million guaranteed, making him the highest paid kicker in NFL history.

In May, Butker gave the commencement speech at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, sharing a pro-family message with the graduates. A video of the speech went viral online.

In his speech, the kicker celebrated the dignity of marriage and motherhood, holding up his wife as an example for the female graduates. As excited as they may be to climb the corporate ladder, he said, the “majority” were probably most excited about getting married and bringing children into the world. He also criticized “things like abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, as well as a growing support for the degenerate cultural values and media.”

This set off a firestorm of praise and criticism online, including demands from liberals to “cancel” Butker or remove him from the Chiefs. Instead, the team has cemented him as a key part of the organization.

Trey Wingo, a former ESPN broadcaster, took flak for his comment on X Monday that Butker’s contract “underscores the inherent truth of the NFL: the better you are at the job the more a team is willing to put up with pure and simple.”

But fans challenged Wingo as to whether the league was “putting up with” Butker, who stands out among his peers in terms of character, and merely expressed his personal views in a speech that some enjoyed and others denounced. 

Butker, a devout Catholic, has been gracious when dealing with his critics.  

In July, tennis star Serena Williams, joined by her sister Venus and actress Quinta Brunson, told Butker from the stage at ESPN’s award ceremony in July, “We don’t need you,” with Brunson adding, “at all. Like, ever.” 

Butker issued a statement praising Serena Williams for hosting the award show and added: “Sports are supposed to be the great unifier and at an event dedicated to celebrating a diverse group of men and women who have accomplished great feats, she used it as an opportunity to disinvite those with whom she disagrees with from supporting fellow athletes.” 

Butker has made 89.1% of his field goal attempts and 94.5% of his extra-points over his seven-year career. Last season was his best, when he made all his PAT’s and 94% of his field goals. 

In Super Bowl LVIII, which Kansas City won in overtime, he was a perfect 4-4, including two game-tying kicks in the fourth quarter to keep the Chiefs in the game.