Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker’s commencement speech at a private Catholic liberal arts school in Kansas over the weekend sparked a strong reaction.
However, amid the response, demand for Butker’s Chiefs jersey appears to have skyrocketed.
As of Thursday, Butker’s jersey appears to be one of the most sought-after pieces of fan gear on NFL.com.
Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ jersey is also listed as one of the best-selling jerseys in the league.
Butker wore No. 87 in college for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
He currently wears number 7 on his back.
In his recent commencement speech at Benedictine College, Butker covered a variety of topics, including what he described as “bad” COVID-19 policies.
He also expressed his views on abortion.
“COVID-19 may have played a big role throughout your formative years, but it is not unique,” he says.
“Bad policies and poor leadership are having a negative impact on major life issues: abortion, in vitro fertilization, surrogacy, euthanasia, and growing support for corrupt cultural values and media. All of this is due to widespread indiscipline.”
Butker has been vocal about his conservative Catholic faith.
He shared a similar message to the Benedictine address during his alma mater’s commencement speech last year.
“I don’t know the root of this problem, but I can at least offer one controversial antidote that I believe will have a lasting impact for generations to come. It’s about building a family,” Butker, Georgia Tech’s Class of 2023, said.
The NFL issued a statement Thursday distancing itself from Butker, saying the kicker had made the remarks during his commencement address in a “personal capacity.”
“Harrison Butker was speaking in his personal capacity,” Jonathan Beane, the NFL’s senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer, said in a statement. people magazine.
“His views are not those of the NFL as an organization. The NFL is steadfast in its commitment to inclusion, which makes our league even stronger.”
Butker also encouraged women to embrace what he called “the most important title of all” as a Catholic.
“To all the women present today, congratulations on your great achievements. You should be proud of everything you have achieved so far in your young lives,” he said.
“I want to speak directly to you because I think it is you women who have told the most diabolical lie. How many of you think about all the promotions and titles you earn in your career? Some of you may go on to have successful careers in the world, but if I had to guess, the majority of you I think she is most excited about her marriage and the children she will bring into the world.
“My beautiful wife Isabelle will be the first to say that her life truly began when she began fulfilling her calling as a wife and mother. I am blessed with many talents that God has given me, but all of my success comes from my band class in middle school. It is no exaggeration to say that it was possible because of the girl who converted to the faith, became my wife, and embraced me. One of the most important titles of all: housewife.”
The Chiefs did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Butker’s speech from Fox News Digital.
Harrison was drafted in 2017.
His career field goal percentage is 89.1.
He is a member of three teams that won the Super Bowl.
FOX News’ Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report.
