Harrison Butker jersey sales increase in aftermath of Benedictine College address
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Amid reaction to Harrison Butker’s now-viral commencement speech at Benedictine College on Saturday, the placekicker seems to have gained several new fans in the process.
According to NFL.com, Butker’s jersey sales are among the most popular online. Only Travis Kelce rated higher than Butker, with Mahomes coming in right behind the star from Georgia Tech.
Additionally, at the Rally House located off Ward Parkway on the Plaza, the store has sold out of Butler’s jersey. Store manager Aaron Lewis saw that influx in jersey requests.
“My first two phone calls were about jerseys, t-shirts, jerseys, anything we had Butker-wise,” Lewis said. “He has sold more than Kelce and Mahomes today -- just the demand after the speech, it’s been men and women -- it’s been both calling to get his jersey.”
Butker’s comments on motherhood, COVID policies and Pride month among others have sparked conversation across social media.
“While COVID might have played a large role throughout your formative years, it is not unique,” he said. “The bad policies and poor leadership have negatively impacted major life issues. Things like abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, as well as a growing support for the degenerate cultural values and media all stem from pervasiveness of disorder.”
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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.
Still, some shoppers on the Plaza find the bump in jersey sales disturbing.
“It’s a free world here in the USA and he can say whatever he wants, but so many people think it’s a good thing to say those things is depressing,” Fran Haegely said.
Calls for the Chiefs to release Butker for his remarks resulted in a Change.org petition, which had reached more than 148,000 signatures as of Thursday afternoon.
The NFL released its own statement, distancing itself from Butker’s comments.
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