On Feb. 14, the Kansas City Chiefs celebrated their Super Bowl victory with a parade in Kansas City, Mo. However, the parade ended in sorrow for at least 22 people, including a Catholic family who lost their mother.
Lisa Lopez-Galvan, a 43-year-old Catholic wife and mother of two children, died after shooters opened fire during the parade. The shooting injured 22 people, including 11 children.
Lopez-Galvan’s family said she was a fan of Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker. According to KMBC News in Kansas City, “Lopez-Galvan was reportedly wearing a Butker jersey during the parade, and he was her favorite player.”
Butker learned of this after a now-deleted social media post and reached out a helping hand.
On behalf of the Lopez-Galvan family, a relative asked to “put her to rest” in a Harrison Butker jersey, “the same she wore the day of the parade.”
The Super Bowl champion, who also attended the parade, then gifted Lopez-Galvan with a jersey to wear at the funeral.
Butker issued this statement:
“My wife Isabelle and I are heartbroken by the murder of Lisa due to degenerate violence,” Butker said. “Murder is a sin that cries out to God for vengeance, and I pray the men involved in this tragedy will be brought to justice. Hearing that she was a fan of my outspokenness for our shared Catholic faith makes this even more personal. I am honored to provide a jersey to the family for her to wear. While the family is mourning their loss and grappling with their numerous injuries, I will continue to pray for their healing and the repose of Lisa’s soul.”
Harrison Butker’s Catholic Faith
Harrison Butker is often outspoken about his Catholic faith.
In 2019, Butker told his Catholic conversion story to EWTN’s Colm Flynn, explaining how he returned the the Church while attending Georgia Tech University before entering the NFL.
Butker said his journey began after returning to confession.
“The biggest leap of faith for me was finally going to the sacrament of confession. That is really what changed me. When I left that confessional–that is what really made me feel different…that’s when I changed my life around.”
In May of 2023, Butker made headlines for his commencement address to the 2023 graduating class of Georgia Institute of Technology.
He explained that worldly praise and accomplishments do not fulfill the heart’s desires, but a relationship with God and service to his family ultimately satisfy.
“All of this happiness is temporary and the truth is, none of these accomplishments mean anything compared to the happiness I have found in my marriage and in starting a family,” Butker said.
During Super Bowl LVII in 2023, viewers spotted Butker wearing a Brown Scapular.
And before 2024’s Super Bowl LVIII, ChurchPOP reported Butker’s partnership with Catholic men on fashion focusing on human dignity.
Prayer for Lisa Lopez-Galvan’s Soul
Eternal rest grant unto Lisa Lopez-Galvan, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
