Harrison Butker’s jersey among NFL’s bestsellers following controversial speech

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV/Gray News) - Amid the reaction to Harrison Butker’s now-viral commencement speech at Benedictine College over the weekend, the Kansas City Chiefs kicker seems to have gained several new fans.

KCTV reports that Butker’s jersey sales were among the NFL’s top sellers as of Thursday evening.

Only fellow teammate Travis Kelce was rated higher than Butker when it came to team sales, with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes ranking one spot behind.

Butker grabbed a few headlines since giving his commencement address last Saturday at the private Catholic liberal arts school.

The NFL player commented on motherhood, COVID policies and Pride Month among other items.

Butker, a traditional Catholic whose faith is no secret on his social media platforms, has been outspoken in his stance on abortion and family life.

In his speech, Butker shared with the graduates, specifically the women in attendance, how his wife has felt most fulfilled in her life being a homemaker.

The three-time Super Bowl champion kicker also directed a portion of his address at the men who had graduated. He urged them to be active in their family life and opined that the absence of the male role in the household has contributed to issues that plague society.

Calls for the Chiefs to release Butker for his remarks resulted in an online petition, which had reached more than 150,000 signatures as of Thursday afternoon.

Earlier on Thursday, the NFL distanced itself from Butker’s comments with league representatives saying his views were not those of the NFL and that the league is steadfast in its commitment to inclusion.