Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker was criticized after a Federal Election Commission (FEC) filing showed that his UPRIGHT PAC to mobilize Christians to vote for "traditional values" did not spend any funds allocated to political activities, such as lobbying or “get out the vote” initiatives.
However, over $30,000 went toward fundraising efforts, with an additional $100 spent on office supplies, according to watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), which uncovered the financial records.
Butker publicly announced the group October 17 in a post on X highlighting the involvement of his friend, Missouri Republican Senator Josh Hawley:
"Consequential times call for consequential actions, which is why I am proud to endorse my friend Senator Josh Hawley @HawleyMO for another term serving the great people of Missouri."
"I have seen first-hand a man who puts his Christian faith at the forefront of everything that he does — and understands that no title or office he will ever hold will be more important than that of Husband and Father."
"I am also excited to announce the creation of the UPRIGHT PAC as a way to promote and encourage Christian voters to vote, so that their voices are heard this November."
You can see his post below.
But CREW noted that Butker decided to "launch a political career with a political action committee meant to mobilize Christians to vote for what it describes as ‘traditional values'" only to spend "absolutely nothing" on its "stated goal."
The organization added that "almost everything" of the funds raised by the PAC "went right to fundraising consultants" which, it added, Butker "does not appear to have mentioned when he announced the PAC." Additionally, there is no indication Butker, who is "the highest paid kicker in the NFL, [made] any political contributions himself."
Butker was swiftly criticized.
Butker became a right-wing darling after making national headlines in May for a misogynistic and anti-LGBTQ+ commencement speech criticizing working women, reproductive rights, surrogacy, and LGBTQ+ rights at the ultra-conservative Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.
Butker urged male graduates to "fight against the cultural emasculation of men," claimed that "abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, as well as a growing support for degenerative cultural values in media all stem from the pervasiveness of disorder."
Addressing women graduates directly, he added:
"For the ladies present today, congratulations on an amazing accomplishment. 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."
"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."
Butker also claimed that he is "beyond blessed" because his wife Isabelle "would convert to the faith, become my wife, and embrace one of the most important titles of all: homemaker.” He said her "dream of having a career might not have come true, but if you ask her today if she has any regrets on her decision, she would laugh out loud without hesitation, and say, 'Hey, no.'"
The football player also denounced Pride—a celebration of LGBTQ+ solidarity and identity as resistance to discrimination and violence—as "dangerous gender ideologies," further describing it as a commemoration of "deadly sins ... that has an entire month dedicated to it." He called on graduates to adhere to "the true God-centered pride that is cooperating with the holy ghost to glorify him."