Rich Eisen's 'wide right' jab after Harrison Butker's missed extra point has Internet divided

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker may have set up an easy punchline, and play-by-play announcer Rich Eisen wasn’t about to miss the opportunity.

With the Chiefs trailing their AFC West rivals, the Los Angeles Chargers, Patrick Mahomes scrambled for an 11-yard touchdown to close the gap. Butker had a chance to tie the game with the extra point, a near-automatic situation for the usually steady kicker.

But he didn’t. Butker shanked it. The Chargers held their lead and eventually sealed a 27-21 victory. 

Harrison Butker’s missed kick sparks political jab from Rich Eisen

On the YouTube broadcast alongside Kurt Warner, Eisen pounced on the miss. “Harrison Butker, interestingly enough, is wide right,” he deadpanned.

That “wide right” jab wasn’t just about football. Butker has long been vocal about his conservative political views, from endorsing Missouri GOP Sen Josh Hawley to backing President Donald Trump.

“I’m supporting the president that’s going to be the most pro-life president, and I think Donald Trump is the most pro-life president,” Butker told Fox News while campaigning for him. “That's a topic that is the most crucial topic for me. I want us to be fighting for the most vulnerable, fighting for the unborn, and that’s what we should prioritize.”

It wasn’t lost on anyone that Eisen’s choice of words was a thinly veiled political barb. 

Internet divided on Rich Eisen's joke

The clip racked up millions of views and split social media right down the middle. Some found it hilarious. “‘Harrison Butker, interestingly enough, is wide right.’ Oh, wow, Rich Eisen went there. Subtle as a foghorn,” one user cracked.

“Ok now that’s funny. Rich is the best!” another chimed in.

“I’m sorry that’s hysterical,” read one comment.

“Broadcasting excellence,” another fan praised.

But for many on the right, Eisen’s joke was anything but funny.

"Wow good one Rich! Looking forward to a wide left joke that will never happen in a million years, or better yet, leaving politics out of a broadcast and just letting people watch a football game," one critic snarked.

"You can only desecrate one group — white males who are not Democrats. You can have fun at these people’s expense to a national audience. That’s the only group that qualifies. Any and all others, they’ll call for your head," another offered.

"F***ing loser announcing. This just moments after butker nailed a 59-yard kick with 6 seconds on the clock," someone else fumed.

"If an announcer for ESPN had said 'wide left!' in reference to an opinionated lefty player, that announcer would no longer have a job much less a career," another chimed in.

From ‘homemaker’ remarks to richest kicker deal: Harrison Butker’s history of stirring headlines

This isn’t the first time Harrison Butker has been at the center of a culture war clash.

Last May, he delivered a commencement speech at Benedictine College that drew backlash — and commentary from Eisen himself. In the address, Butker said one of a woman’s most important roles is that of “homemaker.” Eisen and his wife, Suzy Shuster, ripped into that statement on-air.

“It’s outrageous,” Eisen said. “Of course, he has his right to say whatever he wants to say, and that might be his belief system, but to say that people who are about to receive their diplomas are being lied to diabolically because they are being told that some title awaits them through their hard work isn't as rewarding as being a mother or being a homemaker... It’s just an outrage.”

Despite the backlash, Butker’s jersey sales skyrocketed after the controversial speech, making his No. 7 one of the hottest sellers in the NFL.

Last year, he also signed a deal that made him the highest-paid kicker in NFL history.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.