The Kansas City Chiefs are standing behind Harrison Butker in the short term and for years to come because the two sides just agreed to a massive $25.6 million contract extension, months after he came under fire for polarizing comments made during a commencement speech, TMZ reports.
According to the report by TMZ, Harrison Butker, a former seventh-round pick, negotiated the four-year contract himself making the 29-year-old the highest-paid kicker in the NFL.
Harrison Butker is now tied to the organization through 2028 and will look to help the Chiefs in their quest for a Super Bowl three-peat.
The contract extension comes three months following his controversial grad speech at Benedictine College — a Catholic school in Atchison, Kansas — in which he shared his views on the LGBTQ community, abortion and
While many online were furious with his remarks — some even calling for his release — people close to the kicker stuck by him … including those within the Chiefs organization, like team heiress Gracie Hunt.
“I know Harrison,” Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes said amid the controversy. “I’ve known Harrison for seven years. I judge him by the character that he shows every single day and that’s a good person.”
Butker also made the situation awkward for his teammate, Travis Kelce… as he evoked the name of his girlfriend — Taylor Swift — during the speech. Kelce said he cherishes Butker as a teammate, but couldn’t agree with most of his opinions.
“When it comes down to his views and what he said at the [Benedictine College] commencement speech, you know, those are his,” Kelce added. “I can’t say I agree with the majority of it — or, just about any of it outside of just him loving his family and his kids.”
The Chiefs were clearly unfazed by the PR nightmare he caused this offseason … and are now hoping he can help deliver another Vince Lombardi Trophy to their building.