CELEBRITY
Chiefs Star Harrison Butker Faces Major Fallout: Loses Instagram Followers and Million-Dollar Deals Following Controversial Commencement Speech
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker is experiencing significant backlash following his recent commencement speech, which has sparked widespread controversy. The speech, which addressed issues of free speech and personal beliefs, has led to a dramatic loss of Instagram followers and the cancellation of several lucrative endorsement deals.
Butker’s commencement address at his alma mater, Georgia Tech, was intended to inspire graduates. However, his comments on freedom of speech, personal values, and societal norms have been interpreted by many as divisive and out of touch. While some praised his courage to speak candidly, others criticized the speech as insensitive and polarizing.
The immediate aftermath of the speech saw a sharp decline in Butker’s social media following. His Instagram account, which previously boasted a robust following of over a million fans, saw tens of thousands of users unfollow him within days of the event. The hashtag #CancelButker began trending on Twitter, with critics expressing their disappointment and calling for others to boycott the athlete.
One former follower tweeted, “I used to respect Harrison Butker for his skills on the field, but his recent comments were disappointing and showed a lack of understanding and empathy. Unfollowed.”