The Kansas City Chiefs are attempting to pull off an almost impossible feat by winning three Super Bowls in a row.
Heading into a season with so much on the line, the organization would ideally like to avoid as many distractions as possible heading into 2024, but the opposite has been true.
The Chiefs have dominated headlines this offseason —but the storylines haven’t been about football — and there seems to be one controversy after the next with the Super Bowl champs.
For the last two months, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice has been in the news and his availability in 2024 is a major question mark as of now.
Rice was a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft and his rookie season ended with a Super Bowl victory. He was a key part of the effort as he broke the NFL postseason rookie receptions record with 26 catches. However, his football accomplishments are currently being overshadowed by off-field issues. He is facing multiple felony charges due to a multi-vehicle crash that happened in Dallas in March.
Right when the Rice stuff started to die down a little bit, Harrison Butker — the Chiefs kicker, who is one of the best players at his position in the NFL — brought more controversy to the organization due to a speech he gave at a Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. During his commencement speech, Butker was accused of making homophobic, sexist and misogynistic remarks.
The speech from the Kansas City Chiefs kicker has led to division, with outrage coming from one group of people and praise from another, and his jersey was one of the most sold amongst all NFL players in the week following his remarks.
Butker’s comments have caused widespread outrage from the public, with many calling for the Chiefs to release the three-time Super Bowl champion. In fact, there was even an online petition with over 200,000 signatures for Kansas City to cut ties with him.
Kansas City Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker Doubles Down On Controversial Graduation Speech
The Chiefs didn’t cave to the outrage from the masses — and instead decided to extend their reliable kicker last week.
The 29-year-old agreed to a four-year, $25.6 million contract extension with the Chiefs which includes $17.8 million in guaranteed money, NFL.com and The Athletic reported. The new extension now makes Butker the highest paid kicker in the league.
“There’s no place I’d rather be than with the Kansas City Chiefs, excited to finalize a 4 year extension,” Butker wrote on X. “To the Heights!”
On the cusp of entering his eighth year in the league, Butker has been a solid part of the team’s offense. Over seven seasons, he has made 89.1% of his field goal attempts and 94.5% of his point-after kicks, per NFL.com.
According to Chiefs reporter PJ Green, Butker said he’s had tons of conversations in the locker room with teammates after his Benedictine speech. He also said he appreciated the support QB Patrick Mahomes, TE Travis Kelce and Andy Reid.. “No matter what I say… I’m still gonna love you no matter what.”
But according to Green, the Kansas City Chiefs kicker stands by his controversial comments.
#Chiefs Harrison Butker said any feedback that he's had after his speech does not change his views at all after prayer and thought.
"I stand by what I said."
He said his speech was from a place of love instead of a place of hate..
"I love women, I love my wife." Also said his…
— PJ Green (@ByPJGreen) August 7, 2024
“I stand by what I said,” Green reported. Butker noted the comments were from a place of love instead of a place of hate.. “I love women, I love my wife.”
He also noted his wife was crying during his speech in the gymnasium and he got emotional seeing that during his speech.
