Harrison Butker’s courageous stand for life, family and marriage hasn’t hindered his merchandise sales – it’s supercharged them.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ kicker saw his merchandise sales skyrocket after he gave the commencement address at Benedictine College in May.

The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) recently released data on officially licensed NFL player merchandise from March 1 to May 31, 2024.

Butker was among the top 20 players of all officially licensed product sold, the NFLPA reported. The kicker ranked 11th on the list, ahead of his teammate Travis Kelce (12th), the Chiefs’ tight end, and New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (13th).

The NFLPA said this is Butker’s first appearance on the NFLPA Top 50 list. “Butker became only the second placekicker to make the list, following Evan McPherson, who debuted at the start of the 2022 season,” the organization added.

The data includes product sales that “range from adult and youth game jerseys, T-shirts, hoodies, bobbleheads, plush toys, socks, face coverings, headbands, figurines, wall decals, backpacks, pennants, photos, drinkware, pet products, and more.”

In his commencement address, Butker lauded the importance of family, and spoke extraordinarily highly of his wife, Isabelle.

Butker said,

For the ladies present today, congratulations on an amazing accomplishment. You should be proud of all that you have achieved to this point in your young lives. I want to speak directly to you briefly because I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you. How many of you are sitting here now about to cross this stage and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you are going to get in your career? Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.

I can tell you that my beautiful wife, Isabelle, would be the first to say that her life truly started when she began living her vocation as a wife and as a mother. I’m on the stage today and able to be the man I am because I have a wife who leans into her vocation. I’m beyond blessed with the many talents God has given me, but it cannot be overstated that all of my success is made possible because a girl I met in band class back in middle school would convert to the faith, become my wife, and embrace one of the most important titles of all: homemaker.

For these extraordinarily complimentary remarks, Butker was derided by many on the Left and in the media as misogynistic and bigoted.

But Butker didn’t back down. He doubled down.

“I prayed about it, I thought about it, and I was very intentional with what I said,” Butker said after being pressed about his speech. “I stand by what I said.”

The outrage from the Left led to this satirical headline in The Babylon Bee: “Feminists Warn Young Girls Against Marrying Rich, Muscular Football Stars Who Love Them And Take Care Of All Their Needs And Praise Them In Speeches.”

While leftist media pundits may have been outraged at Butker’s speech, his increase in merchandise sales shows many Americans resonated with his remarks – and rallied behind his courage and conviction.

As Christians, we face a hostile culture and leftist ideology that has taken over much of our government, media, entertainment, corporations and education system. To be a faithful Christian in today’s America, courage is a required virtue.

In fact, courage has always been required of Christians. Perhaps what’s new is our modern notion that one can be a Christian without suffering and enduring hardships.

But from the very beginning, Jesus Christ taught that His followers would have to endure trials.

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, ESV).

From the Old Testament to the New, God promises to be with those who faithfully follow Him.

“Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10, ESV).

Congratulations to Harrison Butker. We thank him for boldly standing up for faith, family and marriage.

In what ways is the Lord calling you to demonstrate courage in your life?

Related articles and resources:

Raising Bold Children With Courage and Confidence

Building Courage in Your Family

Be Like Harrison Butker – Don’t Back Down from Truth

In Praise of Harrison Butker’s Courage, Conviction and Christ-Centered Commencement Speech

KC Chiefs’ Harrison Butker Isn’t Out of Touch – the NFL Is

Chiefs’ Kicker Harrison Butker is Proudly Pro-Life: ‘I Want to Give Voice to the Unborn’

Chiefs’ Kicker Harrison Butker’s Pro-Life Message to the White House: Protect Preborn Life

Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker: ‘Get Married and Start a Family’

Photo from Getty Images.