Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker demonstrated a strong performance in the team's first preseason game, over a month after the controversy surrounding his attendance at Travis Kelce's wedding. The Chiefs faced the Los Angeles Rams in their preseason opener, a game that took place after Kelce's wedding to pop star Taylor Swift.
Butker is reportedly the only member of the Chiefs roster who did not receive an invitation to the wedding, a situation that Daily Mail understands led to locker-room discussions. Despite the reported drama, the kicker appeared to put the matter aside during the game. Butker, who has played with Kelce since 2017, successfully made all three of his field goal attempts, including a 59-yard kick. These three field goals accounted for all nine points scored by the Chiefs in their 20-9 loss to the Rams.
Following his successful kicks, Butker was seen surrounded by teammates who offered congratulations.
Butker, a devout Catholic and supporter of Donald Trump, has previously drawn attention for his public statements. In a 2024 commencement speech at Benedictine College, he referred to Pride Month as a "deadly sin" and suggested that women might prioritize being homemakers over pursuing careers. Kelce has stated he disagreed with Butker's views, while Swift is a known critic of Trump.
A Chiefs player, who requested anonymity, told the Daily Mail that the wedding invitation situation had caused tension within the team. "It's really their wedding and I understand why they wouldn't have invited [Butker]," the player said. "But there's some difference of opinion [between players]. Lots of texts are going around the team and some people who are close to Harrison feel like he was snubbed."
The anonymous player suggested that while there was a general invitation for the team, individual invitations were extended to others. "If Harrison had really wanted to come, he probably could have. But they're not close, so... he wasn't going to go, even if he had been invited," the player added.
This situation has reportedly led to considerable gossip, with some players allegedly trying to provoke drama. "A lot of guys want it to be drama [between Butker and Kelce]," the player noted. "They just like that s**t... a couple of the guys are being messy and texting Harrison to see what he thinks. We're like a high school team sometimes."
The player also mentioned being on a group text with Butker, where a news story about the snub elicited a "WTF?" reaction from some members, though Butker himself did not reply. "I don't think anyone on the team wishes [Kelce] anything but good things. Everyone likes him. He's a good teammate and a good friend. There's locker room s**t but it's nothing disrespectful," the player stated.
Kelce, meanwhile, was seen arriving at his first Kansas City Chiefs preseason game since his marriage, proudly displaying his new wedding band. He arrived in a distinctive outfit featuring gold tie-dye detailing, accessorized with sunglasses and black sneakers.
Kelce was not expected to play in the exhibition game and did not start alongside other key Chiefs players. His wife, Taylor Swift, was not initially seen in a luxury suite at the stadium. Swift was recently spotted in London in her first public appearance as a married woman.
