Harrison Butker‘s path to becoming a prominent NFL kicker is an unconventional tale that began far from the gridiron. Initially immersed in music and soccer, the future Kansas City Chiefs star showcased his talents with a tuba and a soccer ball before transitioning to football during his sophomore year of high school. It was then that his natural kicking abilities started to emerge.

Butker’s trajectory continued at Georgia Tech, where he solidified his status as a top collegiate player, ultimately becoming the school’s all-time leading scorer. Now an NFL veteran, Butker’s journey reached a new milestone in the recent AFC Championship game. His pivotal 35-yard field goal not only secured a victory but also propelled the Chiefs to their third consecutive Super Bowl appearance, marking Butker’s fifth time on football’s biggest stage. Over time, he’s become one of the most accurate kickers in the league. But his journey hasn’t been without its bumps.

Harrison’s injury history

In 2022, Butker had a bit of a rollercoaster season, injury-wise. It all started in Week 1 against the Cardinals when he tweaked his ankle, despite nailing a 54-yarder! That bum ankle sidelined him for the next four games.

He came back swinging against the Bills, even breaking a team record with a massive 62-yard field goal! But then, things got a little shaky—he missed a kick or extra point in each of his next five games. Stats-wise, 2022 was a rough one for Butker, with a career-low field goal percentage.

Despite the hiccups, he redeemed himself with a game-winning kick in the AFC Championship and then sealed the deal in the Super Bowl LVII, booting a 27-yarder to clinch the win against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Major injuries sustained by Harrison Butker in the NFL

Remember when Harrison had that knee mishap last year? Yeah, he needed arthroscopic surgery to trim his meniscus, which landed him on injured reserve in mid-November. Turns out, the Chiefs’ kicking game didn’t skip a beat! They brought in Spencer Shrader and Matthew Wright, who went on a bit of a hot streak. These guys nailed 11 out of 12 field goals and every single extra point, and get this—they even booted game-winning field goals to keep the Chiefs rolling!

Fast forward to December, and Butker’s back in action! After being limited in practice, he got the green light to play against the Browns. Before the injury, he was having a solid season, making 18 of 20 field goals and 21 of 22 extra points. To make way for Butker’s return, the Chiefs had to say goodbye to Wright, showing just how much they value their main man. It’s safe to say, the Kansas City Chiefs were stoked to have Butker back for the home stretch!