NFL: Super Bowl LIX-Opening Night
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Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker says he has no reason to apologize for a commencement speech last year that some people viewed as controversial.

Butker delivered the commencement address at Benedictine College in Kansas last May. As a devout Catholic, Butker’s messages often incorporate elements of God and family values. His speech to the students of Benedictine was no different.

In a discussion with reporters, he stated his belief that the controversy over his comments opened up discussions on things of importance.

“It opened up a lot of good conversations, and a lot of guys had different opinions about it, but we all love each other in that locker room, and we all know who we are, and I think all the guys understood where I was coming from,” he said.

“I know they respect me and respect what I have to say. I got nothing to apologize for.”

Harrison Butker Is Not Offering Any Apologies

Harrison Butker, 29, has been integral to the Chiefs’ success since he was drafted in the 7th round out of Georgia Tech in 2017.

While he has been Kansas City’s field goal specialist for all of its recent Super Bowls (three-time champion), he had perhaps the best postseason of his career last year. He made all 11 of his field goals across the Chiefs’ four playoff games and was perfect on his eight extra-point attempts.

Butker accounted for 13 points on four field goals and an extra point in the Chiefs Super Bowl win over the San Francisco 49ers. He is the current record holder for the longest field goal in Super Bowl history after drilling a 57-yard field goal in that game.

Tight end Travis Kelce has defended Butker, saying, “Harry’s won me a lot of football games, man.”

They’re going to need him to be on his game as they face off against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX this Sunday.

RELATED: Chiefs’ Harrison Butker Inks New Deal, Becomes Highest-Paid Kicker in NFL History

Feeling Confident Before The Super Bowl

Over the summer, Harrison Butker became the highest-paid kicker in NFL history. And it was well-deserved. The four-year extension was worth a total of $25.6 million, with $17.75 million guaranteed.

But he put up rather pedestrian numbers this season, hitting on just 84% of his field goal attempts, ranking 26th in the league. Surgery on his non-kicking leg almost assuredly played a part.

Butker has turned it up a notch in the playoffs, however, going a perfect 4 for 4 in field goals and an additional 5 for 5 in extra point attempts.

Butker said he’s a bit surprised his famous commencement speech made such headlines.

“There’s been a lot that’s gone on, and I never expected to be this known, I guess, as a kicker,” he told reporters Monday.

Through all the noise, he seems pretty confident heading into Super Bowl LIX.

“I’ve been here before. I understand once the game starts it’s just like any other game. I also feel like I can pace myself a little bit so I’m not playing the game (in my head) before it’s actually played,” he said.

“Thankfully, I’ve played in many of these games and I have those memories to go back on. But obviously, you understand the magnitude of what this game is.”

Rusty Weiss is a lifelong NFL and MLB fan (Cowboys/Dodgers) and sometimes fan of college basketball (Xavier). Rusty is ... More about Rusty Weiss
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