Kansas City, Mo. — The owner of the Kansas City Chiefs, Clark Hunt, is throwing his support behind kicker Harrison Butker as he launches his new political action committee (PAC) named UPRIGHT PAC. Established to mobilize Christians to vote for what Butker describes as "traditional values," the PAC's launch has already sparked significant conversations around the intersection of sports, politics, and personal faith.
Butker made headlines last weekend, announcing his PAC during the Chiefs' bye week through various social media platforms. His vision for the UPRIGHT PAC is clearly articulated on its website, stating, "We’re seeing our values under attack every day... But we have a chance to fight back and reclaim the traditional values..." This statement has set the tone for what supporters can expect as the PAC aims to galvanize voters who align with these principles.
Hunt, embracing this new endeavor from his team's kicker, remarked during recent interviews, "I’m not at all concerned when our players use their platform to make a difference.” He emphasized the diversity of political views within the Chiefs organization, acknowledging players who affiliate with differing political platforms. The owner highlighted the importance of utilizing their prominent positions to incite positive change within the community.
One prominent figure often associated with Butker's political moves is Missouri Republican Senator Josh Hawley, who is featured prominently on the UPRIGHT PAC's website. Hawley, whose political style and views often align with traditional conservative values, received Butker’s endorsement as he faces off against Democrat Lucas Kunce in the upcoming election.
Harrison Butker's foray beyond football and directly entering the political discourse isn't entirely new; his political views became the spotlight earlier this year when he delivered what many labeled as polarizing remarks during his commencement speech at Benedictine College, a private Catholic institution. Within his address, Butker stirred controversy by voicing opinions on gender ideologies and implied traditional roles for women, stating, "most of the women receiving degrees were probably more excited about getting married and having children." These comments led to backlash from many voices both within and outside of the Catholic community.
Adding to the public attention, Butker’s remarks about controversial topics, including his critiques of Pride month and President Biden’s administration's policies on abortion, have also attracted scrutiny. Following his commencement address, the National Football League (NFL) felt compelled to distance itself from Butker’s comments, releasing a statement asserting, "His views are not those of the NFL as an organization. The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger.”
Allowing the dialogue to continue surrounding this complex intersection of faith, sports, and politics, Butker remained resolute. He responded to the criticism affirmatively by saying, "I’ve just decided... there are things I believe wholeheartedly... I’m going to continue to say what I believe to be true and love everyone along the way.” This determination reveals Butker's commitment to using his influential status to advocate for his beliefs.
The involvement of the Hunt family extends beyond endorsements and statements. They have historically supported various political causes, including funding initiatives opposing Missouri's recent measures to overturn abortion restrictions. Through their investments via Unity Hunt — the family’s financial entity — they contributed significantly to campaigns reflective of their values, underlining the connection between their sports organization and activism.
While the spotlight remains on Butker and his newly launched PAC, it's notable how the Chiefs quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, contrasts this political involvement with his more reserved approach. Mahomes previously expressed hesitancy to endorse either the Trump or Biden campaigns, stating, "I don’t want my place and my platform to be used to endorse a candidate... It's to inform people to get registered to vote and to do their own research." His stance highlights how public figures navigate their roles amid rising political tensions.
Butker's initiatives and the support from Hunt reflect the layered dynamics of the sports world as athletes increasingly engage with socio-political issues. Whether this will have lasting impacts on the team or its following remains to be seen, but it's evident the dialogue surrounding values — traditional or otherwise — will take center stage as upcoming elections loom.
At the end of the day, the NFL’s diverse roster of players presents unique challenges and opportunities for meaningful dialogues, especially as society continues to grapple with significant changes and expectations surrounding personal beliefs and communal support. Regardless of differing opinions, the Chiefs, through their owner and players, exemplify how sports can function as both entertainment and a platform for social influence.
