Chiefs K Harrison Butker could be facing a unique pressure in Week 1 matchup vs. Chargers in São Paulo, Brazil
The veteran will be prepared.
The Kansas City Chiefs have won many games over the years thanks to game-winning field goals from Harrison Butker.
The Chiefs signed Butker off the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad in 2017, and he has been one of the best kickers in the league ever since. He owns multiple NFL records, including most the field goals made by a rookie with 38, most career field goals made in the Super Bowl with nine, and longest field goal ever made in Super Bowl history at 57 yards.
It’s safe to say that Butker is no stranger to delivering in high-pressure situations. While speaking to the media on Thursday, he was asked if he still gets nervous in those scenarios, and if playing in the high altitude of São Paulo, Brazil in front of an international audience that understands a lot about kicking puts extra pressure on him.
“Every game is different,” Butker said. “We’re in Brazil, different country, different field, altitude, all that stuff. As a kicker, I think most kickers would say they still get nervous. I think most guys up here get nervous. But when you practice hard, when you treat every rep like it’s a game rep, like it’s a pressure rep, when you get in that moment you can address the nerves and go, I shouldn’t be nervous.
“I prepared for this moment, and you can fall back on your training. So I look forward to the first game of the season. We’re all going to have butterflies. I know we were playing a little bit in the preseason, but the first regular season game against a division opponent, I know we’re all super excited to get out there and show everyone all the hard work that we put been putting in this offseason.”
Chiefs vs. Chargers could come down to Harrison Butker field goal
Six of the last seven matchups between the Chiefs and Chargers have been decided by just one score. In their Week 14 matchup last season, kicker Matthew Wright, who was filling in for the injured Butker, hit the game-winning field goal that banked in off the upright as time expired to secure a 19-17 Chiefs win.
If Friday night is another tight contest between K.C. and L.A., it will be crucial for Butker to convert on all of his field goal attempts. It will be to nobody’s surprise is if he finds himself in the situation to win the game. Butker’s most recent walk-off field goal was in Week 2 of 2024 when he nailed a 51-yarder to defeat the Cincinnati Bengals 26-25.
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