Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker delivered a commencement speech at a private college in Kansas where he touched on various topics including encouraging women to embrace their roles as homemakers and mothers. Butker also criticized Pride month and President Joe Biden’s stance on abortion and COVID-19 policies. While the NFL stated that Butker spoke in a personal capacity and his views do not reflect those of the organization, CatholicVote and Butker’s teammate, Chris Jones, expressed support for his speech. CatholicVote wrote a letter to the NFL Commissioner and Chiefs CEO questioning their commitment to diversity and inclusion.
In his speech, Butker addressed the graduating women directly, highlighting what he believed were lies told to them about their career aspirations. He emphasized the importance of embracing marriage and motherhood, values he believes are important as a Catholic. Despite the controversy surrounding his speech, Butker received positive feedback from supporters and his jersey became one of the most in-demand items on NFL.com. Butker’s firm beliefs and public expressions of them were not new, as he had previously advised the Georgia Tech graduating class of 2023 to get married and start a family for long-lasting impact.
Gracie Hunt, daughter of Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt, also expressed her support for Butker’s speech during an interview on Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends.” She shared her experience of having a mother stay at home and how it contributed to her upbringing. Amidst the backlash and support, Butker continued to stand by his beliefs and his outspoken nature. The NFL responded by stating that Butker spoke in his personal capacity, distancing itself from his views, while the demand for his jersey soared. Despite the controversy, Butker’s message resonated with some and sparked a conversation on traditional values and gender roles in society.
Butker’s critique of cultural values, his support for traditional family structures, and his stance on abortion and COVID-19 policies sparked a debate on diversity and inclusion within the NFL. CatholicVote praised Butker for upholding the values of the Catholic faith, while also questioning the league and team’s response to his speech. Butker’s teammate, Chris Jones, expressed his solidarity with Butker, refusing to delete a social media post supporting him. The differing reactions to Butker’s speech underscored the complex social and political climate surrounding issues of gender, family, and personal beliefs in today’s society.
Despite the controversy and the differing responses to his speech, Butker remained steadfast in his convictions and continued to express his personal beliefs. His speech at Benedictine College and his previous public addresses have sparked important discussions about gender roles, marriage, and family values. The popularity of his jersey reflected a divided reaction among fans, with some supporting his message while others found it controversial. Butker’s willingness to speak out on issues he believes in highlights the ongoing debate about diversity, inclusion, and traditional values in sports and society as a whole.
