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Reports: Controversial Butker becomes NFL’s highest-paid kicker

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The NFL has a new highest-paid kicker.

Harrison Butker and the Kansas City Chiefs agreed Monday to a four-year, $25.6 million contract extension that includes $17.75 million guaranteed, according to multiple reports. The agreement vaults Butker past the Baltimore Ravens’ Justin Tucker and Philadelphia Eagles’ Jake Elliott, who previously were tied as the top earners at the position with four-year, $24 million deals.

Butker, 29, converted a career-best 94.3% (33 of 35) of his field goals last season while hitting all 38 of his extra-point attempts. His career 89.14% career field goal conversion percentage ranks second in NFL history, trailing only Tucker’s mark of 90.18%.

The seven-year veteran sparked controversy in May when he said in a commencement speech at Benedictine College that most women receiving degrees would be more excited to be married and have kids than begin their careers. He also criticized the promotion of ‘dangerous gender ideologies’ and took aim at Pride Month.

Butker said he does not regret expressing his beliefs despite the widespread criticism he has faced. Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce each said they disagreed with Butker’s views but still supported him.

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‘I can’t say I agree with the majority of it, or just about any of it, outside of him loving his family and his kids,’ Kelce said on the ‘New Heights’ podcast. ‘I don’t think that I should judge him by his views, especially his religious views, of how to go about life. That’s not just who I am.’

This post appeared first on USA TODAY