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From Flyover to Destination

BRAND STRATEGY • BRAND IDENTITY DESIGN • COMMUNICATIONS • ENVIRONMENTAL • DIGITAL  • PACKAGING •  ADVERTISING

Willoughby partnered with The Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association (KCCVA) to position, design and launch a new tourism brand. The goal was positioning KC for the future and a rightful place to be. The new logo, brand identity and mission was created “to ignite global passion for visiting Kansas City.”

The visual identity is a reflection of what Kansas City has become known for over the past decade: A vibrant creative crossroads with a world class arts and entertainment scene. The brand elements remain grounded in the city’s welcoming Midwestern values.

Kansas City has experienced an arts and entertainment renaissance over the past decade. Visit KC puts out the welcome mat.

Kansas City is the only destination with a distinct cosmopolitan energy that is anchored in fun, friendly, midwestern hospitality.

The 2012 MLB All-Star Game provided a once-in-a-generation opportunity to welcome baseball fans from all over the world to Kansas City. Designed around the VisitKC.com Spark, a symbol inspired by the energy that happens when KC’s friendly, BBQ and baseball-loving roots merge with our ever-growing culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, arts and entertainment, the FanatiKCs campaign was created to show that Kansas Citians are FanatiKCs when it comes to baseball and our hometown.

Could your brand be more streamlined, engaging or irresistible? Let's talk.

KC Welcomes All

Kansas City is an open, inclusive and inviting destination. Every day, Visit KC leads the region in welcoming visitors from all walks of life, regardless of race, background, preferences or experiences. Known for its Midwestern hospitality and welcoming nature, the diversity of KC’s visitors and citizens is matched only by the depth of experiences available.

From community festivals that celebrate the city’s rich, cultural fabric to world-class attractions and museums, it’s clear that Kansas City is an innovative, authentic destination where the energy is palpable and business is booming. It’s a destination that embraces all who live and work, visit and play in the region. It’s one where enhancing product development, improving quality of life and raising the destination’s profile are paramount. As the region’s official destination marketing organization, it is Visit KC’s obligation to shepherd the positive momentum forward and to work in close concert with its partners to showcase here and abroad “How We Do Kansas City.”

Kansas City dreams big to live big. Kansas City continues to move forward for betterment of the next generation, stands behind its diversity and proudly extends an open invitation for all to come experience it.

Visit KC Statement

Statement from CiCi Rojas, Chair of Visit KC, in response to NAACP’s Missouri Travel Advisory

Read Full Statement

Statement from Mayor Sly James

Statement from Mayor Sly James on the recent travel advisory issued by the NAACP for the State of Missouri

MTC and MACVB Letter to Members

Letter sent to all members of the Missouri Travel Council and Missouri Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus

"We wanted to provide you with an overview and our response regarding the NAACP Travel Advisory for Missouri.

This situation arose from the passage and the signing into law of SB 43 which will go into effect on August 28th.  Pure and simple, this law deals with legal recourse available to those that feel that they have been unfairly discriminated against in the workplace.  SB 43 brings Missouri’s standards regarding discrimination in the workplace in line with the standards of 38 other states and the United States federal government regarding the burden of proof required in EEOC and ADA claims..."

Read Full Letter

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Juneteenth In The Dotte

Eat Tacos. Check In. Get Rewards.

Sign up now for the KCK Taco Trail pass and be immersed in a flavor-filled experience of culture and history through food. The trail includes…

2024 Visitors Guide

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Get ready for an unforgettable girlfriends' getaway in Kansas City, Kansas!

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Kansas City Kansas

Located in the heart of America, Kansas City, Kansas is an astonishing ethnic and culturally diverse city infused with flavors, traditions and languages that make KCK a true melting pot.  Whether it’s for a long weekend stay or just an afternoon spent mural-chasing, you'll enjoy discovering a unique cultural heritage unlike anywhere else in the Kansas City region.

Neighborhoods:

• Bonner Springs
• Edwardsville
• Village West

The West side of Kansas City, Kan. is booming with world-class shopping, sports, dining, and entertainment. There’s no slowing down on this side...

The West side of Kansas City, Kan. is booming with world-class shopping, sports, dining, and entertainment. There’s no slowing down on this side of town, and it all started with the building of the 1.5 mile tri-oval race...

places to stay

Things to do, nearby shops, where to eat.

Mostly residential, Midtown is situated between Downtown and Village West and provides access to big Kansas City attractions without all the...

Mostly residential, Midtown is situated between Downtown and Village West and provides access to big Kansas City attractions without all the hustle and bustle.

Mostly residential, the historic Northeast area is home to several sites that represent a significant part of Kansas’ history in the fight for...

Mostly residential, the historic Northeast area is home to several sites that represent a significant part of Kansas’ history in the fight for freedom and equality. With immersive and engaging experiences such as the...

Where to eat

• Central Avenue
• Strawberry Hill

The downtown area is booming with local eateries and historical sites that tell the fascinating story of Kansas City, Kan. With no majority of...

The downtown area is booming with local eateries and historical sites that tell the fascinating story of Kansas City, Kan. With no majority of ethnicity, KCK is a true melting pot of culture, making for an eclectic...

Kansas City, Kan. south of I-70 is brimming with fantastic opportunities for shopping, dining and exploring. Often referred to as the KU Med Area...

Kansas City, Kan. south of I-70 is brimming with fantastic opportunities for shopping, dining and exploring. Often referred to as the KU Med Area by locals as the University of Kansas Medical Center campus is located...

Featured Events

Glow in the dark night flight zipline tour, juneteenth in the dotte, movie nights on the lawn @ legends outlets.

• Legends Outlets Kansas City

Rowe Ridge Tasting Room Is Open!

• Rowe Ridge Vineyard & Winery

Saturdays at the Casino

• Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway

Strawberry Hill & Downtown KCK Urban Hike

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Tour of The Quindaro Ruins

• Quindaro Ruins & Overlook

Monday Evening 2 Step Workshop

Free creative study space for high schoolers.

• EPIC Clay Studio

Kaw Point Urban Hike, Tacos & Live Music

Historic sites, restaurants, things to do, in kansas city, ks.

Kansas City, Kan. has a wide variety of activities and entertainment for people of all ages. Whether you’re looking for a museum, shopping, sports, or dining and nightlife, there's something for everyone!

KCK Insiders Blog

All new kck taco trail 101.

Let your tastebuds lead the way on the most epic taco experience Kansas City has to offer. The KCK…

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Guide by Cell Audio Tour

Exploring just got easier! Our free Guide by Cell Audio Tour is the perfect way to get out and…

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20 Reasons to Visit Kansas City in 2024

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Kansas City's Top Summer Events & Festivals

40+ can't-miss summer events.

Summer festivals, international soccer, top concerts and more lead the way this summer in Kansas City. From annual favorites to first-time fun, here are over 40 events worth checking out.

Now Available: Get the Official 2024 Visitors Guide

See why the new york times, lonely planet and more say kc is the place to travel this year.

Available in print and digital formats, Kansas City’s Official Visitors Guide is free and offers guidance on shopping, sports, dining, must-see museums and many more ideas for your time in KC.

The Kansas City Chiefs logo: a history

We take a look at how the Kansas City Chiefs logo has changed since the team was founded.

The Kansas City Chiefs have been an American football fixture since being founded in 1959 – even by many who don't follow the NFL too closely, they're instantly recognisable.

And, of course, that's particularly true in 2023. Even people who'd have been hard pressed to name an NFL player before a couple of months ago are now familiar with the Chiefs and their tight end Travis Kelce due to his alleged relationship with superstar singer Taylor Swift. 

As a result, the team's logo is being seen more frequently at the moment. But, while it's been their logo for a long time – and is often considered one of the best NFL logos – the Kansas City Chiefs have had other logos before. From their previous incarnation as the Dallas Texans to the logo many of us are familiar with today, here's a look back at the Kansas City Chiefs logos over the years, as well as who created them and the thinking behind them.

And if all this logo talk gives you some inspiration to make your own design, you can take a look at the best logo designers here. 

The first Kansas City Chiefs logo: 1960-1962

Cartoonist Bob Taylor designed the first logo for the Kansas City Chiefs in 1960, a year after businessman Lamar Hunt founded the team. At the time, they were based in Dallas and called the Dallas Texans. 

To that end, the first logo features a gun-toting cowboy running with a red map of Texas in the background. He's wearing a hat, carrying a pigskin football in his left hand, and wearing cowboy boots and a shirt that says 'Texans' on it.

Originally, Hunt wanted the team's colour scheme to be orange and Columbia blue, but he ultimately went for gold and red after the owner of the Houston Oilers picked orange and Columbia Blue first. 

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It was a fitting logo for the team before they relocated and changed their name, with the map of Texas and the cowboy making it clear where the team was based and the red and gold colour scheme symbolising strength and success. 

The loincloth Kansas City Chiefs logo: 1963-1971

In 1963, the Dallas Texans relocated to Kansas City, Missouri. Hunt thought about keeping the team's name, but Jack Steadman, who was the team's general manager at the time, persuaded him to change it. They settled on the Kansas City Chiefs, in honour of Harold Roe Bartle, mayor of Kansas, who was also known as The Chief. 

Taylor designed the team's new logo, too, and it had many similarities with the first. The cowboy was swapped out for a Native American man, who is running with a tomahawk rather than a gun. Likewise, the red map of Texas in the background was swapped out for a white map of Missouri and some of its nearby states.

His loincloth has the letters 'K' and 'C', and he's holding a pigskin football like the gunslinger in the first logo. The colour red still plays a part in this logo, although it's a  more vibrant red than in the previous iteration. The team still use the same red six decades on. 

However, it's a logo that hasn't aged well, particularly in an era when teams like the Washington Redskins have changed their names due to accusations of racism against Native Americans. 

The stripped back Kansas City Chiefs logo: 1972-present

In 1972, the Native American man disappeared, with a simple, stripped back logo taking the place of the last one. 

Hunt reportedly designed the logo on a napkin on a road trip back to Kansas City, and he took inspiration from the logo of the San Francisco 49ers , and the interlocking 'S' and 'F', which sit inside an oval. But rather than an oval, the 'K' and 'C' of Kansas City sit inside an arrowhead – the team play at Arrowhead Stadium, and have done so since 1972. This is the last aspect of Native American imagery that remains in the current logo.

The sans-serif font Hunt used was original, with his hand-drawn letters still used in the logo – there's almost a 3D effect due to the bold black outlines around the red lettering.

The logo was first used on the team's helmets during games, before it was promoted to the overall emblem used by the team. It differs from the team's previous two logos, but the minimalist design works well – it does what it needs to do, and over the last 50 years it's become very recognisable. Sometimes, less really is more. 

For more sporting logo histories, see our Miami Dolphins logo history , the history of the Philadelphia Eagles logo and the NBA logo history .

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Adam is a freelance journalist covering culture and lifestyle, with over five years’ of experience and a Master’s degree in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University. He’s previously written for publications including The Guardian, The Independent, Vice and Dazed, and was Senior Editor at DogTime.com from 2022 to 2023. When he’s not writing, he’s probably drinking coffee, listening to live music, or tinkering with his Apple devices.

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To order copies of any of the below publications, as well as attraction brochures, Kansas City maps or other materials, contact Visit KC toll-free at 800-767-7700.

Visit KC Annual Report

The Annual Report describes Visit KC's activities in the areas of convention and tourism promotion. It also serves as an overview of the organization's mission, history, funding and departmental goals.

View the 2020 Visit KC Annual Report

View the Guide Now

Visit KC | Official Visitors Guide

Visit KC , Kansas City's Official Visitors Guide, is produced annually by Visit KC in partnership with Madden Media. Published every March, it is the only local guide sent to visitors prior to their trip, and also is available for free in local hotels, visitor centers, convention venues, Missouri welcome centers and other local attractions. 

Click  here  to view the electronic version. To order print copies, call 800-767-7700 or request a printed copy . For advertising information, contact Kim Thompson at 866-323-0226.

Welcome to Our New Office

We’re thrilled to be hosting you in the new shared home of Visit KC, the Kansas City Sports Commission, WIN for KC and the Kansas City FIFA World Cup 2026 office.

With the KC Sports Commission’s mission to generate economic and community impact through sports and Visit KC’s work to elevate Kansas City’s position as a premier travel destination, this shared office space elevates the opportunities for shared efforts between our two organizations, offering convergent and complementary opportunities to benefit the Kansas City area through sporting events, sports tourism, leisure travel, meetings and conventions.

Following our award-winning effort to host the 2023 NFL Draft and as KC attracts more events than ever, from youth sports to FIFA World Cup 2026, the timing is perfect to continue our work together in an environment designed for collaboration.

Please use this guide to assist you in navigating our new space. We’re glad you’re here!

About our Building

1111 Main, formerly known as Town Pavilion, is the second-tallest habitable building in Kansas City and third-tallest in the state of Missouri.

This iconic 38-story mixed-use tower occupies a full city block. The building was originally constructed as the AT&T Town Pavilion (the Southwest Regional Headquarters for AT&T) and opened in 1986.

The 11-story former Harzfeld’s Department Store and the former Boley Building were preserved and have been integrated into the design of this downtown landmark.

The city block between 11th and 12th streets was known as the Diamond Block, where many well-known Kansas City jewelers got their start. Look closely and you'll see diamond-inspired themes reflected in the architecture.

Sightseeing from the 34th floor

While you’re in our office, take a moment to appreciate these KC-area landmarks and icons from an entirely new perspective.

Look north:

CPKC Stadium City Market Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport

City Hall Truman Sports Complex Community of Christ Spire

Look south:

National WWI Museum and Memorial Kansas City Power & Light District Union Station Children’s Mercy Hospital

Hy-Vee Arena Kaw Point Park

Inspired by KC history

Our conference rooms and meeting spaces pay tribute to historic venues and monumental figures with legacies that continue to shape and define Kansas City today.

Convention Hall Kansas City’s original convention center opened in 1899 and burned to the ground in 1900. A new Convention Hall was built in just 90 days and stood until the 1930s.

Municipal Stadium The stadium at 22nd & Brooklyn hosted the first Negro World Series, the longest NFL game in history, a Major League Baseball All-Star Game and countless other events.

The Stone Room Named after Toni Stone, a history-making member of the Kansas City Monarchs and the first woman to play in the Negro Leagues.

Perry’s Named after Henry Perry, the father of Kansas City barbecue and a direct influence on some of the cuisine’s most famous names.

Westport Landing Traders in the 1830s disembarked from the Missouri River at Westport Landing before continuing west on land, ultimately leading to the permanent establishment of Kansas City.

Union Depot Before Union Station was built in the heart of the city, there was Union Depot in the West Bottoms. At the time of its construction, the sprawling structure was the largest building west of New York.

Dreamland Hall, the Century Room, the Reno Club, and Lucille’s Jazz may have been born in New Orleans, but it grew up in Kansas City. These lesser-known venues hosted some of the genre’s biggest names nearly a century ago.

Visitor Information Center

Please visit the new Visit KC Visitor Information Center on the first floor of our building! The Visitor Information Center serves as a resource for visitors and residents by providing KC inspiration, publications and tips on things to do around the area.

Make note of our new mailing address:

1100 Walnut St. Suite 3450A (Visit KC) Suite 3450B (KC Sports Commission) Kansas City, MO 64106

‘From the heart’: Visit KC celebrates busy 2023, looks ahead to business & leisure travel in 2024

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City’s tourism, travel and hospitality industries took over the Midland Theatre Wednesday afternoon in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, to celebrate 2023 and look forward to 2024.

There was no shortage of events to celebrate from the first nine months of this year, which included a Super Bowl Parade, new single terminal at Kansas City International Airport and the NFL Draft, just to name a few.

The calendar might look a little different in 2024, but those who work in the tourism and travel sectors are still making plans to put Kansas City front and center.

“The rest of the country knows us now, and they know us for all the right reasons,” Visit KC CEO Kathy Nelson said during her remarks at Wednesday’s annual Tourism Outlook.

Nelson and the VisitKC team also took advantage of the event to unveil their newest branding campaign, From the Heart.

“Kansas City is absolutely the best city in the country,” Nelson said. “Everything we do is from the heart.”

Travel trends

Katie Briscoe, CEO of Kansas City-based travel and tourism marketing agency MMGY Global, told the audience that while leisure travel hasn’t been immune to the effects of inflation, business and corporate travel could help the travel and tourism industry — especially in Kansas City — pick up the slack in 2024.

The firm’s 2023 Portrait of the American Traveler suggests a resurgence in road trips among leisure travelers, but how those travelers plan those trips will be increasingly important for tourism, travel and hospitality firms.

Briscoe said travelers are increasingly depending on brands on social media networks and influencers to help make their travel decisions. Some early adopters are also using artificial intelligence travel apps to plan out their trips.

Several of the first waves of AI-assisted travel apps, such as tripplanner.ai, come pre-populated with popular attractions in a particular city. Users can select which attractions they are interested in, and then the app comes up with an itinerary based on how many days the user is spending in the city, even providing different options based on the traveler’s budget.

While many popular destinations across the country — think New York and Los Angeles — have attractions pre-populated, some cities such as Kansas City are more of a blank slate. Creating data for those travel apps will be an important part of Kansas City’s next chapter of travel, Briscoe said.

Additionally, companies that develop a virtual reality version of Kansas City can give prospective travelers an idea of what their trip might look like and even give them the inspiration to take an actual trip.

Briscoe said she believes Kansas City can stand out in the travel market because the area has a brand, has the assets and is well-positioned in the market.

From the Heart

VisitKC’s From the Heart branding ties into the now nearly ubiquitous KC heart logo that’s popped up on everything from art displays to coffee mugs and hoodies.

The KC heart logo first appeared on the scene thanks to Kansas City, Missouri-based brand Charlie Hustle.

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A Voice for Everyone

Created in 2005, the Visit KC Foundation is a 501(c)3 entity associated with the region’s destination management organization, supporting causes on both sides of the state line. Through programming such as Kansas City Restaurant Week and other initiatives, the Foundation enhances the quality of life for the Kansas City region through its priorities of tourism advocacy and workforce development . 

In 2020 and early 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic delivered a swift blow to the travel and tourism industry, sending the industry’s national unemployment to Depression levels. Kansas City’s hospitality community felt that impact immensely, witnessing a steep decline in tourism revenues and the shuttering of several local businesses. It’s estimated that a full recovery will take years.

Currently, funds allocated to the Visit KC Foundation go towards supporting individuals and partners in our industry who were impacted most by the events of 2020 and 2021. These initiatives are crucial as our destination works to rebound and rebuild our hard-hit hospitality community , a segment that employed 48,000 Kansas Citians in 2019. 

Foundation Initiatives

From improving diversity, equity and inclusion inside our industry's workforce to aiding Kansas City's food insecure, the Visit KC Foundation is focused on the regional tourism industry and those who help power it. Read up on the Foundation's recent success stories to learn more. 

Foundation Leadership

Comprised of civic and business leaders from across the Kansas City region and representing multiple industry sectors, the Visit KC Foundation Board leads and oversees the organization's important work within the community. 

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Travis Kelce says Secret Service wasn't 'too happy' with him during White House visit

Travis Kelce finally had his moment at the microphone at the White House with the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, but there was only one thought running through his head.

"When I walked in, I had about four or five Secret Service members come up to me and tell me, 'You know if you go up to that podium, we're authorized to tase you,'" Kelce said on the June 5 edition of the "New Heights" podcast with his brother, Jason Kelce.

Travis Kelce jokingly mentioned this fear in his quick remark at the microphone.

"That's all that was going through my head," he said on the podcast. "I had no idea President Biden was going to ask me to come up and let me have my moment. And he walks right up, and the first thing he said was (to) give me the floor. And I felt (a) Taser aimed at me when I was up there the whole time."

"If the president invites you up, you’re not going to get tased," Jason Kelce said on the podcast.

After Kelce had tried — and failed — to address the crowd at a 2023 White House Super Bowl celebration, President Joe Biden let the tight end take the mic on May 31 when he hosted the Chiefs for their second straight NFL championship win.

“I’d have Travis come up here, but God only knows what he’ll say,” Biden said. “Travis, come here.”

As his teammates “oohed” behind him, Travis Kelce, almost sheepishly, approached the podium.

“My fellow Americans, it’s nice to see you all yet again,” Kelce said. “Uh, I’m not going to lie, President Biden, they told me if I came up here I’d get tased, so I’m going to go back to my spot.”

Travis Kelce’s antics got his older brother’s stamp of approval.

"My fellow Americans,''' Jason Kelce said on their podcast. "Trav, you nailed it."

Travis Kelce said he was already on the wrong side of the Secret Service after sharing on "New Heights" following the Chiefs' 2023 visit to the White House that he was able to gain entry despite having an expired driver's license.

"The Secret Service that's all over the White House, they weren't too happy with me on my second time visiting," he said on the June 5 episode. "Not just for that, but for the whole, you remember I was talking about how I had an expired ID and I got in the White House. I caught s---- for that.

"Beforehand, I made sure — because of what happened last time and how embarrassed I was for going to the White House with an expired ID — I made sure that I brought my passport this time so that it showed that I was a citizen in Missouri. And I was official, and I was legit, and I was doing things the right way because everyone has to do that at the White House."

Despite his fear, Travis Kelce enjoyed the team's latest trip to be celebrated for their Super Bowl title.

"It's an always an honor to go to the White House," he said on the podcast. "Any time that I get a chance to get recognized by the president of the United States and get to go with my teammates and a group of men and women that I had success with to the point where we get to get acknowledgement, I'm doing it every single time.

"No matter who's up there at the helm, no matter what's going on in this world, I think it's just such a cool opportunity."

In his speech, Biden praised the team's successful season amid its "share of struggles," including "doubters" during the team's midseason slump and a minus-4 degree start to the playoffs in January .

"I don't think anybody's doubting you now. You fought hard. You kept the faith," Biden said, giving a special shoutout to the team's "comeback king — not kid," quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Travis Kelce similarly hammed it up for the crowd at Kansas City's last visit in June 2023, briefly stepping away from a photo op with Mahomes and Biden to take to the podium.

"So, I've been waiting for this —" he started, before Mahomes pulled the tight end away from the mic.

During that 2023 visit, Mahomes and Travis Kelce gave Biden a Chiefs jersey. This year, the president completed his ensemble, receiving a Chiefs helmet that he promptly put on and wore for the rest of the event.

The Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in the Super Bowl on Feb. 11. The NFL championship game saw record viewership , likely in part due to the attendance of Travis Kelce’s girlfriend, pop star Taylor Swift .

Swift was not mentioned or present at this year's White House event, off the heels of two “Eras Tour” shows in Madrid on May 29 and 30 .

During Biden's speech, he also honored defensive tackle Chris Jones, as well as guard Trey Smith and long snapper James Winchester , who helped comfort and protect people after the fatal Super Bowl parade shooting in downtown Kansas City on Feb. 14. One person died and at least 25 people were injured in the shooting.

Kicker Harrison Butker was visible behind Biden during the president's speech, standing among his teammates. The White House visit comes just weeks after Butker's controversial commencement speech at Benedictine College sparked backlash across the country.

Butker criticized abortion, IVF, LGBTQ+ rights, women's roles in society and Biden himself in his May 11 speech .

"Bad policies and poor leadership have negatively impacted major life issues. Things like abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, as well as a growing support for degenerate cultural values in media, all stem from the pervasiveness of disorder," Butker said, in part. "Our own nation is led by a man who publicly and proudly proclaims his Catholic faith, but at the same time is delusional enough to make the sign of the cross during a pro-abortion rally."

A representative for the NFL said Butker's speech was given in a "personal capacity."

“His views are not those of the NFL as an organization. The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger," the NFL’s senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer, Jonathan Beane, said in a statement.

On the May 24 episode of the "New Heights" podcast, Travis Kelce defended Butker's character while disagreeing with his opinions.

"I cherish him as a teammate," he said , later adding, "When it comes down to his views and what he said at Saint Benedict’s commencement speech, those are his. I can’t say I agree with the majority of it or just about any of it outside of just him loving his family and his kids. And I don’t think that I should judge him by his views, especially his religious views, of how to go about life, that’s just not who I am.”

Butker seemingly doubled down on his comments at a gala in Nashville on May 24, saying, “The more I’ve talked about what I value most, which is my Catholic faith, the more polarizing I have become. It’s a decision I’ve consciously made, and one I do not regret at all.”

Maddie Ellis is a weekend editor at TODAY Digital.

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Kansas City Chiefs cancel team activities after player goes into cardiac arrest following seizure

The Kansas City Chiefs canceled team activities Thursday after a player had a seizure and went into cardiac arrest, his agent and the team said.

Backup defensive lineman BJ Thompson had the seizure during a special teams meeting, agent Chris Turnage and the Chiefs confirmed on Friday . Medical staff called an ambulance and Thompson is in stable condition.

NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero  and other outlets first reported the incident on Thursday.

Thompson was a 2023 fifth-round pick and appeared in one game in his rookie season, according to NFL.com .

The Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl glory for the second year in a row in February. The team celebrated its championship at the White House on Friday .

Despite being in the offseason, the team has made plenty of headlines, some fueled by the romance between tight end Travis Kelce and pop star Taylor Swift , and others less rosy.

Chiefs placekicker Harrison Butker was the target of sharp criticism following his controversial commencement address last month at Catholic liberal arts school Benedictine College, where he said women were “most excited” about marriage and bearing children over their personal careers.

Meanwhile, Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice  turned himself in to police  in April in connection with a multicar crash in Dallas in March.

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We gave our daughter $20,000 for a wedding, but she used it for a home down payment and paid for her own wedding. Everyone was happy.

• A couple in Kansas City, Missouri, gave their daughter $20,000 to spend on her wedding.
• Instead, she spent the money on buying a home, and she and her fiancé paid for their own wedding.
• The dad said it worked out and that he thinks his daughter learned about budgeting in the process.

When Mike's daughter got engaged, he and his wife wanted to help pay for her wedding.

Mike, who asked Business Insider to only use his first name for privacy reasons, estimated that a wedding in the Kansas City, Missouri, area cost between $15,000 and $25,000 at the time, around 2015.

Mike and his wife decided they could put $20,000 toward the wedding, but they knew wedding spending could get out of hand and that emotions tend to run high during the planning process.

So instead of working closely with their daughter on her wedding plans and talking through each potential cost, they came up with a straightforward solution: Give her and her fiancé a lump sum of $20,000 and let them do all the planning.

"I didn't want to be telling my daughter what she could and couldn't do," he said. "She was an adult."

Mike said the strategy took pressure off him and his wife and helped them avoid wrestling over who was buying what or what his daughter could or could not have. He also said it helped them contribute the amount they wanted without going over budget by adding things here and there.

The Knot reported that in 2023, the national average cost of a wedding was $35,000, while the average cost in Missouri was $27,000. Still, most couples end up going over their budget. A Real Weddings Study by The Knot found that 56% of couples spent an average of $7,900 more on their wedding than they planned. Others exceeded their budget by more than $10,000.

While it's traditional for the bride's family to pay for a wedding, those customs are changing, especially as Americans get married later in life and are able to take on more of their own wedding costs. A study from The Knot found that it's now more common for couples and their families to split the costs evenly.

Mike, his wife, their daughter, and her fiancé, were all happy with the lump-sum agreement.

"Then they kind of tricked me," he said, laughing. "One day, they came home and said, 'Hey, we bought a house.'"

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The couple took the $20,000 and used it for a down payment on their home — before they had their wedding, which they then planned to pay for out of their own pockets.

Initially, Mike was surprised, but he ultimately thought it was a good thing that his daughter and her fiancé paid for their own wedding.

"If kids are not given carte blanche on wedding plans, if they're forced to budget from their own standpoint, the whole thing just doesn't get out of hand," he said.

The couple held the wedding at the rose garden in Loose Park — a large public park in Kansas City — and at a popular reception hall. Mike said everything about the wedding seemed reasonable but he never learned what they ended up spending.

"I never asked," he said.

Mike said it might have bothered him if the couple had used the money for a down payment and then eloped. But as long as he and his wife were able to attend their daughter's wedding, they were happy.

"I figured I got off for a reasonable amount of money for the wedding, and they got a down payment on a house out of the deal and a wedding," he said.

Mike said he thinks too many people have gotten caught up in the lavish weddings they've seen on TikTok, which can take away from the "whole point of having a wedding, which is to have a marriage."

He also said he thinks that helping his daughter and her fiancé learn how to budget for a wedding helped them learn how to budget in a marriage.

Mike's wife did end up giving their daughter a bit more money in the end, which he thinks was for something to do with her dress.

"She snuck it in," he said, laughing. "She couldn't resist."

Have a news tip or a story to share about the costs of throwing a wedding or being in a bridal party? Contact this reporter at [email protected] .

Correction: June 7, 2024 — A previous version of this article misstated a figure from The Knot. It found that 56% of couples spent an average of $7,900 more on their wedding than they planned, not $7,600.

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