Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker has been the subject of controversy for his recent masculinity-fueled commencement speech. While Butker does have his fair share of supporters when it comes to his views — not to mention the folks who think he deserves the freedom of speech to voice his opinions regardless of others’ feelings — he has many, many detractors. That loud crowd was out in full force when news dropped Thursday that Butker might not be on kickoff duties all the time in 2024.
Speaking to the media, Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub alluded to how the new kickoff rules could create a lot more explosive plays, and how the return team will be at a huge advantage.
Thus, having an extra tackler on the field, such as capable-kicking Kansas City safety Justin Reid, would give the reigning back-to-back Super Bowl champs another critical edge.
The #Chiefs have considered not using Harrison Butker for all kickoffs and instead using a player like safety Justin Reid.
Special teams coordinator Dave Toub said the new kickoff rule has kickers more involved in tackles, and they don't want that for Butker.
The full answer is… pic.twitter.com/V10t0QkMFf
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 30, 2024
The NFL's new kickoff rule essentially positions the kicker as the last line of defense on returns if the returner gets past the initial wall.
Not wanting your kicker in that situation, especially when you need him for field goals, adds another fascinating dynamic. https://t.co/Zsh1IPk4Sq pic.twitter.com/o3EOwspl1E
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 30, 2024
As if the Chiefs don’t have enough going for them. The best quarterback-head coach combo in Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. Taylor Swift’s boyfriend and GOAT pass-catching tight end Travis Kelce. An exceptional young defense with an elite coordinator in Steve Spagnuolo. Now, a potential X-factor ace on the kickoff unit in Justin Reid, no relation to the coach.
Given how minimal (if situationally critical) Butker’s function is to the grand scheme of his football team, it has to be a little emasculating to receive such a demotion. If you think about it, the implication here is that Buker’s manhood is in question. Can he not handle a little contact? A little bit of tackling? Maybe he’s just not build for that.
I’m kidding, of course. Preserving a kicker’s health is key if you want someone you trust lining up a potential winning field goal. For whatever you think of his personal opinions, Butker is an outstanding placekicker who connected on 33 of 35 field goals last season, and nailed all 38 of his PATs. Dude was a perfect 11-for-11 and 8-for-8 in those respective categories during the playoffs, too.
Good oversight by the Chiefs to put Butker in bubble wrap, rather than tossing him in harm’s way with much faster, stronger guys barreling toward him. You know at least some of them would have a little extra juice if they got a shot to truck stick him in the open field.
The only other team I can think of who could deploy this tactic is the Miami Dolphins. Newly signed wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. can kick the crap out of the ball. Problem is, he’s super injury-prone as is, so keeping Jason Sanders intact at the expense of another possible OBJ injury may not be worth the risk.
Back to Butker, though. Hope you get a kick out of these jokes as much as I did.
https://t.co/GsSV7TSVGW pic.twitter.com/yfBHohALD5
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) May 30, 2024
So you're saying Butker will stay on the sideline to take care of the kids while actual football players make tackles?
— 49ersSpin (@49ersSpin) May 30, 2024
Butker being singled out as the kicker whose team doesn’t want to expose him to a traditionally masculine element of the game (tackling) is a fun twist https://t.co/hcBWVfhXVQ
— Zach Segars (@Zach_Segars) May 30, 2024
Harrison Butker the morning of his commencement speech https://t.co/r4u97wTRlS pic.twitter.com/di9oefx48P
— cade (@CadeBuffalow) May 30, 2024
He could use that time to prepare snacks for his football family, I heard that kind of work is tremendously rewarding even if you have ambitions and a degree. https://t.co/Sb8Xb6f0Qc
— Kevin Van Valkenburg (@KVanValkenburg) May 30, 2024
Chiefs really told Butker to stay in the kitchen because he’s not masculine enough lmao https://t.co/W2PnZzurim
— Erik Beimfohr 🙌 (@erikbeimfohr) May 30, 2024
hopefully Harrison Butker knows his place as a kickmaker and doesn't try to branch out to anything other than that. https://t.co/4FPGBH1sg9
— JEFF (@jeffisrael25) May 30, 2024
I can already see the cancel culture posts on Facebook once this gets to that app next week https://t.co/Djc94hbHfE
— Eric Lilly (@EricLiIIy) May 30, 2024
Kickers should stay at home to raise the kids and let the real football players take the field
— Gregg Steiner (@gggsteiner) May 30, 2024
Damn shortly after he said men should not be afraid to challenge themselves. He’s being given less responsibility now
— To Be Decided (@TheReal_Pino) May 30, 2024
— Heismans (@HeismansIG) May 30, 2024
