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Kareem Hunt, Harrison Butker Earn Monthly Honors

Both rookies played a pivotal role in Kansas City’s strong finish to the regular season

It's been a rookie season to remember for tailback Kareem Hunt and kicker Harrison Butker, and it's once again garnering attention from around the league.

Hunt was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month while Butker took home AFC Special Teams Player of the Month honors on Thursday as each player wrapped up the regular season with some hardware.

It marks the second time this season that each player has won their respective award, with Hunt winning NFL Rookie of the Month honors for September and Butker earning the AFC Special Teams Player of the Month award in October. Butker is the first rookie kicker to win the award multiple times since it was created in 1986. 

The Chiefs won their final four games in December, clinching the AFC West, with both rookies playing a pivotal role.

Hunt led all rookies in rushing over the course of the month, tallying 437 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. His 548 total yards from scrimmage ranked fifth in the league among all players.

The rookie tailback ran the ball just once in Kansas City's regular season finale against the Denver Broncos, but it was more than enough to secure the league rushing title. Hunt is just the third rookie since 1999 to lead the league in rushing, joining Ezekiel Elliott (2016) and Edgerrin James (1999).

Butker, meanwhile, connected on an AFC-most 15 field goals over Kansas City's final five games. His 59 points ranked second to only San Francisco's Phil Dawson in the month.

That included a five field goal performance on Dec. 24 against Miami, helping the rookie kicker break the franchise record for made field goals in a season. 

Hunt and Butker will look to build on their strong rookie campaigns this Saturday as the Chiefs host the Tennessee Titans at Arrowhead Stadium to kick off the postseason. 

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