Two months ago Harrison Butker found himself in one of the more unusual situations in the NFL, playing the role of backup kicker for the Carolina Panthers. On Sunday afternoon, Butker kicked his way into the Kansas City Chiefs record book.
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker connects on a 31-yard field goal against the New York Giants during the team’s 12-9 loss at MetLife Stadium on Nov. 19, 2017. (Photo courtesy Chiefs PR, Chiefs.com)
Butker connected on three field goals on a windy day at MetLife Stadium, including a game-trying field that forced overtime. That made it 22 successful field goals in a row for the rookie, matching Kansas City’s franchise record for consecutive field goals.
Pete Stoyanovich initially set the team mark during the 1997-98 seasons. Ryan Succop later tied the record in 2011.
Head coach Andy Reid praised the poise of his rookie kicker after the game, even if he wished his team had settled for one fewer field goal in lieu of a touchdown.
“He’s done a nice job,” Reid said. “The positive was just coming back at the end being able to get a field goal there. Would like to have had a touchdown but ended up with a field goal to tie it.”
Butker also remains within reach of several other franchise field goal records. Succop also holds a share of the team’s rookie record for field goals with 25. Cairo Santos, Butker’s predecessor, tied that record in 2014.
Butker’s 95.7 percent on field goals ranks second in franchise history. Stoyanovich holds the team record at 96.3 percent set in 1997.
His current pace also puts Butker within reach of the club record for most field goals in a season. Nick Lowery holds that record with 34 in 1990. Butker has averaged just more than three field goals per game. That puts him on pace for 40 for the season.
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Matt Derrick is the lead beat writer for ChiefsDigest.com. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @MattDerrick.
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