The spike in sales follows Butker’s commencement speech at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, which has drawn sharp criticism and support from various quarters.
According to the official NFL Shop, Butker’s No. 7 jersey had become the top seller among Kansas City Chiefs merchandise as of last Friday. CBS Sports confirmed the trend, noting that Butker’s remarks during the graduation ceremony had significantly influenced his jersey’s popularity.
Although specific sales numbers were not disclosed, the jersey was listed among the “Top Sellers” on the NFL Shop website.
Butker’s speech at Benedictine College addressed several issues, including gender roles, abortion and cultural values. His speech included comments suggesting that many women are most excited about their roles as wives and mothers rather than pursuing professional careers.
His remarks sparked backlash from liberal groups such as GLAAD. However, Butker also received support from prominent individuals, including Tavia Hunt, the wife of Chiefs’ owner Clark Hunt, Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reed, the team’s coach.
In an Instagram post, Tavia Hunt defended Butker’s praise of motherhood, noting that affirming the role of mothers is not bigoted.