After Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker drew criticism for a controversial commencement speech at Benedictine College on Saturday, igniting a firestorm on social media and beyond, his jerseys and merchandise have risen on the list of best sellers at NFL Shop this week.
On the NFL Shop site, which is owned by Fanatics, Butker’s Nike home jersey currently is the seventh most popular-selling jersey in the NFL and the highest-selling Chiefs jersey.
Butker’s jerseys are the top-seller for the Chiefs in both the men’s and women’s categories. Butker sweatshirts are also currently the top-seller in the women’s category, in addition to overall, among Kansas City players.
An industry source confirmed to cllct that the sales rankings are accurate and reflect current sales numbers on the retail site.
The sales numbers are similar on Fanatics site, where Butker's jersey ranks sixth in the NFL.
The kicker, whose comments included calling Pride Month a “deadly sin” and suggesting women’s accomplishments at home are more important than any of their professional goals, has become a politically divisive figure, with many finding his remarks sexist and bigoted, while others have championed him and praised the speech for its conservative message.
In a statement, the NFL distanced itself from Butker.
“Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity,” said Jonathan Beane, NFL senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer. "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.”
The Chiefs, with whom Butker has played his entire seven-year career, are one of multiple NFL teams to sell rainbow-colored Pride apparel. Pride Month, which takes place in June, falls in the NFL offseason.
Butker is currently the subject of petitions circulating on change.org, with one demanding the Chiefs cut him reaching more than 180,000 signatures as of Friday morning.
Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct. You can follow him on X at @Will__Stern.