KICKING IT UP A NOTCH!

Brothers Garrett and Nick Bernardo, both La Salle Institute grads, have scored a touchdown.

The Bernardos, who along with friend Scott Klimchak, own NOVUS, an Albany-based clothing company, partnered with Kansas City kicker Harrison Butker last month in releasing the Super Bowl champion’s own clothing line named “Butker.”

The kicker’s clothing line serves as another outlet to live out his Catholic beliefs. To fulfill philanthropic goals, a portion of the proceeds go directly to the Harrison Butker Family Foundation, "created to serve as a charitable entity to support causes near and dear to the Butker family," according to his manager Austin Quick. 

“The foundation is basically a way for me to give back to the community and to the places that I truly care about,” Butker said. “With the clothing line, I know the fans are going to love it. I’d love to put that money back into areas that I’m super passionate about.”

The Catholic faith is a big part of Butker’s life - although in an interview with EWTN - he admitted this wasn’t always the case. It was in college during his time at Georgia Tech that he would bond with another teammate, who ultimately led him back to the Sacrament of Confession. He experienced a conversion of the heart and found his faith more meaningful than ever. Now married to his wife, Isabelle, and with one son, James, Butker attends and sometimes participates as a server during Latin Mass at his local parish, St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Independence, Miss. 

NOVUS offers teams, colleges, athletes and organizations custom sportswear and apparel with a strong faith-centered mission, one that Butker strongly identifies with. 

“He can help others, so we get to work alongside him and play our part which we love to do with apparel,” Garrett Bernardo said, “And we’re excited because he’s such a strong man of faith, he’s gonna make a great impact.”

NOVUS’ slogan — “Claim Your Crown” — stems from the Bible verse James 1:12 (Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him). It confirms the company’s mission of helping people “claim their crown” through perseverance and living with passion and conviction. Butker is the second athlete to partner with the company and first NFL player.

Butker’s clothing line will offer a selection of hoodies, joggers, shirts and shorts customized specifically by the Chiefs kicker. Some of the clothes will cater more directly to the Chiefs’ fan base and bear Butker’s nickname of “Buttkicker,” but the line will also include everyday attire featuring neutral colors such as black, gray and white.

“I had a lot of great role models in my life and now as a husband and a father, I’m trying to lead my wife and my children on the straight and narrow path so hopefully, I can do that to any kids that want to look up to me as an athlete,” Butker said of his hopes for the line’s impact. The newly released items will be available at https://www.novusclothingcompany.com and at butker.com