Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker has outpaced Travis Kelce in jersey sales, a major win for Butker and his conservative message. Butker’s willingness to speak out on traditional values has made him a fan favorite, catapulting him to 11th place in the NFL’s jersey rankings, ahead of Kelce, who is ranked 12th despite his high-profile relationship with Taylor Swift.
The shift in sales started after Butker delivered a commencement address at Benedictine College, where he urged women to prioritize their roles as wives and mothers. This message of embracing traditional family values struck a chord with many fans who feel such ideas are no longer given their due in mainstream culture. Butker also used the speech to criticize President Joe Biden’s abortion policies and condemned pride month as a “deadly sin,” sparking outrage from liberal groups.
A petition calling for Butker’s removal from the Chiefs gathered over 260,000 signatures. However, instead of folding under pressure, the Chiefs extended Butker’s contract with a four-year, $26.5 million deal—the largest for a kicker in NFL history. The support from the team reflects the growing number of fans who admire Butker for standing up for his beliefs, even in the face of backlash.
Despite Kelce’s widespread fame and the surge in sales driven by Swift’s fanbase, Butker’s jersey has outsold his teammate’s. For a kicker to reach 11th in NFL sales is a rare feat, and Butker’s rise shows that fans are increasingly drawn to athletes who aren’t afraid to defend traditional values.
Although former Kansas City commissioner Justice Horn criticized Butker, claiming his views are out of line with Kansas City’s inclusive image, fans clearly see it differently. Even Kelce, while disagreeing with Butker’s views, has stood by his friend, saying Butker treats everyone with respect, regardless of their beliefs.
As the Chiefs prepare for their next game, Butker’s leadership and courage continue to earn him admiration on and off the field, as evidenced by his skyrocketing jersey sales.
