The Kansas City Chiefs have remained one of the NFL’s top teams this season, boasting an undefeated record and proving their ability to stay focused despite the off-field distractions surrounding their players. From the much-publicized romance between Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift to the political stances of Brittany Mahomes, the Chiefs have found themselves in the spotlight for reasons beyond football.
Now, kicker Harrison Butker is the latest team member to grab headlines, but for reasons that have nothing to do with his performance on the field.
Earlier this year, Butker made waves when he delivered a controversial commencement speech at a college graduation, where he advocated for traditional gender roles, urging women to prioritize homemaking over pursuing external careers. His remarks sparked widespread discussion across both the sports world and beyond, with many viewing his comments as out of touch with modern views on gender equality. Despite the controversy, Butker has mostly kept a low profile since the speech.
That changed on Friday when Butker made another headline-grabbing announcement: his endorsement of Donald Trump in the upcoming presidential election. For many fans, this endorsement came as no surprise. Given Butker’s outspoken views on traditional values, his support of the former president seemed almost inevitable to some.
“To the absolute surprise of NO ONE,” one fan remarked sarcastically in response to Butker’s announcement. Another fan echoed the sentiment, adding, “Least shocking endorsement ever, lol.”
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Others shared similar sentiments, with comments like, “Wow, what a surprise,” and “The least shocking development of the year,” flooding social media. Butker’s endorsement, while unsurprising to many, has added yet another layer to the Chiefs’ off-field distractions.
One aspect of Butker’s announcement that sparked additional commentary was his appearance on Laura Ingraham’s show on Fox News.
Ingraham is the same conservative commentator who famously told NBA star LeBron James to “shut up and dribble” when he shared his own political views. This apparent double standard was not lost on fans, who quickly pointed out the irony of Ingraham hosting a kicker to discuss his political beliefs.
“Same chick that told LeBron to shut up and dribble is interviewing a kicker? Weird, wonder what’s different,” one fan noted, suggesting a discrepancy in how athletes’ political opinions are treated depending on their stance.
“I must have missed the part where she told him to shut up and kick,” another fan quipped, while another added, “Wasn’t she the one who told LeBron to shut up and dribble? Now she’s okay with bringing politics to sports.”
Butker’s political involvement didn’t stop with his Trump endorsement. During his appearance on The Ingraham Angle, he also voiced his support for Missouri Senator Josh Hawley’s re-election, further aligning himself with conservative political figures. “We have to be prayerful men that put God first, and I think that’s what will be best for our country,” Butker said during the segment.
As the 2024 presidential election draws closer, it remains to be seen whether other NFL players will publicly express their political views. While athletes like LeBron James and Colin Kaepernick have been vocal about their beliefs in the past, Butker’s decision to endorse Trump has reignited debates about the role of politics in sports.
For now, the Chiefs remain focused on their undefeated season, but the off-field controversies surrounding their players continue to create buzz.
Whether more athletes will follow Butker’s lead and voice their political opinions remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the intersection of sports and politics is as prominent as ever.
