NFL fans have cruelly mocked Harrison Butker when it revealed the Kansas City Chiefs may protect their controversial kicker from tackles next season.

New kickoff rules to be enforced next season will mean kickers might realistically be involved in more bone-crunching hits – and the Chiefs want to protect their star man at all costs.

This had led to a flurry of taunts thrown at Butker on social media – who created considerable controversy earlier this month for a misogynistic speech given at a college’s graduation ceremony.

He urged graduates at Benedictine College that women should prioritize being ‘homemakers’ instead of pursuing careers, while also taking aim at the LGBTQ+ community, abortion advocates and more in an opinion-dividing address.

Those opinions, coupled with the Chiefs’ vow that they will take him out of the firing line, led many on social media to mock Butker.

NFL fans ridiculed Harrison Butker after it learned the Chiefs may protect him from tackles

‘Imagine being so manly your coach is openly declaring he’s taking you off the field if there’s any chance you could find yourself coming into contact with another player,’ commented one fan.

‘As Butker mentioned himself “be masculine, do things that are hard”. Let him tackle’, added a second.

A third wrote: ‘A genuine man would just make the tackle’.

Another commented: ‘Now he can spend more time doing what genuinely makes him happy – having a family.’

‘Maybe they might get a macho man to take the role of Butker?’ another remark read.

The NFL has distanced itself from Butker’s statements. The league said the comments and ‘views are not those of the NFL as an organization.’

NFL fans brutally trolled Harrison Butker after it emerged he could be protected from tackles

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said the three-time Super Bowl winner is entitled to his ideas, even though he doesn´t always agree with him.

Speaking about Butker on his ‘New Heights’ podcast, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said he cherishes Butker as a teammate.

Butker spoke Friday night at the Regina Caeli Academy Courage Under Fire Gala in Nashville, Tennessee.

‘It is now, over the past several days, my opinions or what people think I believe have been the center of many talks around the globe,’ Butker said Friday.

‘At the onset, many people displayed a shocking level of hostility. But as the days went on, even people who disagreed with my ideas showed their support for my freedom of religion.’

Butker said he accepts being critiqued for his performance on the field. The 28-year-old stated he cherishes his religion more than football.

‘It’s a decision I’ve intentionally made and one I do not regret at all,’ he said.