A petition created by Faithful America condemns Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker’s controversial commencement speech at Benedictine College in Kansas. In the speech, Butker made comments about LGBTQ+ communities and promoted traditional gender roles, specifically addressing female students. Faithful America called for Butker to apologize for his remarks, stating that they are a distortion of the Christian faith and harmful. The organization believes that LGBTQ+ people and women deserve to celebrate important moments without being insulted or judged.
The petition, which has received over 10,000 signatures, calls on Butker to apologize to those who were hurt by his speech. It expresses concern over Butker’s sexist and anti-LGBTQ remarks and emphasizes that LGBTQ people and women are made in the image of God. The organization believes that everyone should be able to celebrate important life events without facing discrimination. Clips of Butker’s speech circulated on social media, sparking criticism and accusations of using his platform to discuss controversial issues such as abortion, IVF, surrogacy, and euthanasia.
The NFL released a statement clarifying that Butker’s views expressed in his speech were personal and not reflective of the organization’s beliefs. The league reiterated its commitment to inclusion and diversity, stating that Butker’s speech was given in his personal capacity. However, CatholicVote, a nonprofit advocacy group, supported Butker and criticized the NFL’s statement. The organization sent a letter to the NFL Commissioner and Chiefs CEO condemning the league’s response and defending the sacred ideals that Butker referred to in his speech.
CatholicVote President Brian Burch emphasized that the ideals mentioned in Butker’s speech are not controversial for millions of Americans and are upheld by religious believers. He argued that the league’s distancing from Butker’s remarks raises questions about its commitment to genuine diversity and inclusion. The organization praised Butker for calling on Catholics to uphold the high ideals of their faith, including defending the dignity of every human life, the importance of family, and the gift of motherhood. The statement by CatholicVote suggests that Butker’s speech was well-received by many and should be respected for its alignment with religious beliefs.
The controversy surrounding Butker’s commencement speech highlights the intersection of sports, religion, and social justice issues. Faithful America’s petition, which calls for Butker to apologize, reflects a desire for respect, inclusivity, and understanding among different groups. The response from the NFL and CatholicVote illustrates contrasting perspectives on the speech, with the former emphasizing inclusion and the latter defending traditional religious values. The conversation sparked by Butker’s remarks raises important questions about free speech, diversity, and the role of public figures in promoting social change.
