Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker’s robust jersey sales this year made NFL history
Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker found himself in the middle of a political maelstrom following his commencement speech at Benedictine College in May.
There was a backlash on social media about Butker’s comments regarding how women have been told “lies” about finding fulfillment in their jobs while his wife and others have enjoyed being married and having children.
Others, however, saw nothing wrong with Butker’s message and showed their support by purchasing his jersey. Sales soon skyrocketed.
That helped Butker make NFL history as his jersey cracked the NFLPA’s Top 50 Player Sales list.
Butker became only the second kicker ever to make the top-50 list. The Bengals’ Evan McPherson was 36th in 2022. But Butker’s jersey was far ahead of that, as it was the 11th-most purchased in the NFL from March 1 to May 31, the NFLPA said.
That was one spot ahead of Chiefs teammate Travis Kelce, whose own fame has shot through the roof over the past year since he began dating superstar singer Taylor Swift. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes had the second-best selling jersey in that span.
Butker nearly cracked the top 10, which is listed below.
- Texans QB C.J. Stroud
- Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes
- Lions DE Aidan Hutchinson
- Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
- Bengals QB Joe Burrow
- Eagles QB Jalen Hurts
- Eagles RB Saquon Barkley
- Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs
- Cowboys LB Micah Parsons
- 49ers QB Brock Purdy
Other Patrick Mahomes notes in NFLPA report:
“Fathead’s hottest-selling wall decals and cutouts featured Patrick Mahomes, Justin Jefferson, Josh Allen, T.J. Watt, and Tyreek Hill,” the NFLPA said.
“The top five players in hardline sales and bobbleheads from Forever Collectibles (FOCO) included Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, DaVonta Smith, and Aaron Rodgers.
“Iconic Puzzles saw strong sales driven by Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, and Dak Prescott.”
This story was originally published September 18, 2024 at 8:26 AM.
