The Kansas City Chiefs have placed kicker Harrison Butker on the injured reserve list with a left knee injury, the team announced on Friday, November 15. The injury required arthroscopic knee surgery, which “went great,” Butker, 29, told his followers via X.
Butker is expected to miss at least the next four Chiefs games, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. If his recovery goes according to plan, that would put him on track to return December 15 against the Cleveland Browns.
Despite being one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history, many are familiar with Butker because of the controversial comments he made in May during his commencement address at Benedictine College.
In his speech, Butker slammed IVF, LGBTQIA+ rights and railed against the “diabolical lies told to women” about working outside the home.
Butker’s comments lit up social media in the immediate aftermath, as he drew criticism from celebrities in and out of sports, including Maria Shriver, Serena Williams, Hoda Kotb and Flava Flav.
The kicker spoke out about his comments in an appearance on Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle on October 10.
“I’m definitely saddened [some people] took it in a poor manner,” he said. “I was talking to a specific crowd that I think was able to understand what I was trying to say.”
He continued, “But I was trying to speak life for so many women that have dedicated their life to being the homemaker, being the one that raises the children. And it’s a beautiful role, but it’s not a role that should be diminished.”
Harrison married his wife Isabelle in 2018, and the two share three children, including son James, 5.
After Harrison’s comments, his Kansas City teammate Travis Kelce faced pressure to speak out. As the most recognizable player on the team due to his Hall of Fame trajectory and relationship with Taylor Swift, Kelce addressed the controversy on his “New Heights” podcast in May.
“I can’t say I agree with the majority of it or just about any of it outside of just him loving his family and his kids and I don’t think that I should judge him by his views, especially his religious views, of how to go about life. That’s just not who I am,” he said.
Harrison has made 18 of his 20 field goal attempts this season and 21 of his 22 point-after attempts. The Chiefs have added kicker Spencer Shrader to their active roster while their starter is out.
Kansas City’s next game is on Sunday, November 17 on the road against the Buffalo Bills.
