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By James Brizuela
Contributing Writer
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The Kansas City Chiefs have agreed to a massive extension with controversial kicker Harrison Butker.
Butker lands a new four-year, $26.5 million extension that now makes him the highest-paid kicker in the league. After spending three seasons with the Chiefs so far, and converting 197 of 221 field goal attempts for an 89 percent success rate, Butker is now locked in with the Chiefs until the 2028 season.
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The Chiefs have stood by Butker through his three seasons with the team, notably when the 29-year-old kicker proclaimed some highly controversial and personal opinions during a commencement speech earllier this year.
Butker espoused a number of socially and politically conservative opinions while delivering the commencement speech at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.
During his speech, Butker stated that women should put their roles as mothers ahead of them entering the workforce. He also referred to Pride Month, celebrated annually by the members of the LGBTQ+, as "the deadly sin sort of pride that has an entire month dedicated to it."
Unsurprisingly, these opinions resulted in a wave of backlash. The result of the speech led to a response from the NFL. Jonathan Beane, the NFL's senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer, released a statement that read:
"Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity. "His views are not those of the NFL as an organization. The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger."
Despite the controversial comments, Butker remained steadfast in his delivery of the speech, and many of the Chiefs coaches were asked about how they felt regarding the speech.
Read more: Chiefs News: Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid React to Harrison Butker's Controversial Speech
Head coach Andy Reid was asked to comment on the matter, stating, "I didn't think I need to. We're a microcosm of life. ... We all respect each other's opinions. We all have a voice."
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes shared a similar sentiment.
"I've known him for seven years. I judge him by the character he shows every day and that's a good person. ... We're not always going to agree. He said certain things I don't agree with," Mahomes stated.
Even star tight end Travis Kelce commented on the matter on his ever-popular "New Heights Podcast," with brother Jason Kelce.
"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 kids," Kelce commented.
Even through all this, the Chiefs were unwavering in their support of the kicker. And now, he can enjoy being the highest-paid at his position in the NFL.
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