Professional football can be hostile to players who are open about their faith.
The league’s leadership has jumped on every left-wing social fad.
And a Kansas City Chiefs star stunned the NFL with this confession about his faith.
Harrison Butker has become one of the best kickers in the NFL
Kansas City Chiefs placekicker Harrison Butker was one of the keys to his team’s thrilling 25-22 overtime victory in Super Bowl LVIII over the San Francisco 49ers.
He kicked the longest field goal in Super Bowl history in the game – 57 yards – and finished a perfect four-for-four on tries for the day.
The three-time Super Bowl champion has become one of the most reliable kickers in the NFL with the Chiefs.
And he’s become known for being outspoken about his Catholic faith.
He made a statement when he wore a Pro-Life tie with the Latin message “Vulnerari Praesidio” – which translates to “protect the most vulnerable” – for the Chiefs’ visit with President Joe Biden at the White House to celebrate their Super Bowl win in 2023.
Chiefs stars explains how his faith helps him on the field
Butker was interviewed by U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) during the 2024 Stronger Men’s Conference in Springfield, Missouri about his football career and his faith.
He explained how his faith helps him stay cool under pressure when he’s kicking.
“I’ve had to take myself away from the ups and downs of the game, and really prayer on the sidelines has really helped me so much to detach and realize that, yes, football is important,” Butker explained. “Yes, I’m on the biggest stage – there’s millions of people watching, but I am a child of God, No. 1.”
He said that his success on the football field has come from his faith keeping him focused on what’s truly important in his life.
“I’m a child of God. I need to care about what Jesus thinks of me more than anyone else,” Butker said. “How am I as a husband, and how am I as a father? And when you think about that it really takes away a lot of the pressure that the world can bring, that that stage can bring. And that’s also probably been a big reason for my successes. Understanding my place, understanding the role that football plays in my life, that it’s an amazing platform that I’m so grateful for.”
“I’m trying to use the platform for Him, to glorify Him,” Butker added.
The Chiefs became a national story off the field when tight end Travis Kelce began dating pop star Taylor Swift.
Now the team is looking to try and win their third straight Super Bowl next season.
“It’s pretty incredible to think that we even [have] the opportunity to win three Super Bowls in a row, but when you have a coach like Andy Reid, you have a great quarterback like Patrick Mahomes, you have Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, you have so many top tier players that are going to make sure we execute in the biggest of moments, and we showed that this season,” Butker said.
