Kaylah Walton
Taylor Swift chose to overlook Harrison Butker’s recent remarks on societal issues while he played a key role in the Kansas City Chiefs’ victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on September 15 during Week 2 of the NFL season.
Butker, recognized as the highest-paid kicker in the league, showcased his skills by successfully kicking a 51-yard field goal, aiding Patrick Mahomes in overcoming a tough match at Arrowhead Stadium, leading the Chiefs to a narrow win of 26-25.
While attending the game, Swift maintained her focus on supporting her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, as they celebrated a second NFL win for the 2024/25 season, indicating that she was unaffected by Butker’s controversial opinions.
The Chiefs will aim for their third consecutive victory on September 22 against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with the game kicking off at 20:20 ET/17:20 PT on NBC.
Controversy Surrounding Butker
Butker sparked significant backlash after expressing political views during a speech at Benedictine College in May, which were deemed anti-LGBTQ+, sexist, and misogynistic.
In this address, he referenced Swift, using lyrics from her song “Bejeweled” to start his speech by saying, “As my teammate’s girlfriend says, ‘familiarity breeds contempt.'”
He criticized Pride Month as a “deadly sin,” opposed diversity initiatives, and suggested that women are misled into thinking they can pursue successful careers.
“Harrison Butker does not represent Kansas City nor has he ever,” stated Justice Horn, former chair of the Kansas City LGBTQ Commission, on X.com, formerly known as Twitter. “Kansas City has always embraced and welcomed our LGBTQ+ community members.”
In August, Butker secured a four-year contract extension worth $26.5 million, affirming his status as the highest-paid kicker in the NFL while contributing to the Chiefs’ quest for a remarkable third consecutive Super Bowl title.
