Kansas City Chiefs star Harrison Butker’s NFL gear sales for the first time ever beat out fellow teammate Travis Kelce’s despite a backlash against the kicker over his commencement speech.
In a list from the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) of the top 50 players with the highest sales of official NFL-licensed merchandise, Butker not only made his debut in the rankings for the first time, but also bested Kelce at 12th place by coming in at 11.
Kansas City Chiefs star QB Patrick Mahomes’ NFL gear sales beat out both Kelce and Butker’s, coming in second place, behind only Houston Texans C.J. Stroud, who nabbed the top spot, the outlet noted.
The list was compiled of official NFL merchandise sales between March 1 and May 31, weeks after Butker made headlines for the commencement address he gave at Benedictine College, a Catholic university in Kansas, in which he praised his wife for being a “homemaker,” called out President Joe Biden’s support for abortion, and criticized LGBT “Pride month.”
In the speech to the Catholic college on May 11, Butker said, “How many of you are sitting here now, about to cross this stage, and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you are going to get in your career? Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world. But I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.”
“It cannot be overstated that all of my success is made possible because a girl I met in band class back in middle school would convert to the faith, become my wife, and embrace one of the most important titles of all: homemaker,” he added.
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The usual leftist stars slammed the comments and a Change.org petition was started calling for the three-time Super Bowl champion to be dismissed from the team for his “discriminatory” remarks to graduates at the college.
Kelce later broke his silence about Butker amid the backlash against his teammate, defending Butker, calling him a “great person.”
“I have known him for seven plus, eight plus years,” the Chiefs player said. “I cherish him as a teammate. I think Pat [Mahomes] said it best where he [Butker] is every bit of a great person and a great teammate. He’s treated friends and family that I’ve introduced to him with nothing but respect and kindness.That’s how he treats everyone.”