While Harrison Butker’s defense of Christianity in his Kansas State commencement speech sparked worldwide outrage, NFL players and coaches were far more positive.
This trend continued on Wednesday.
During a press conference at the team’s facility in Miami Gardens, a reporter asked Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel for his thoughts on how to deal with players who want to speak out on political issues.
“I’m glad you asked,” McDaniel joked. “If players are new to this situation, I think they need to open their eyes to their platform. That what you say will probably be fragmented and could remain forever. I think they need to understand. So what I want to emphasize is, whatever you say, you better believe it. No matter what people do. We’re just trying to educate them to understand the consequences.”
Miami Dolphins head coach McDaniel leaves corporate sportswriters gasping after defending Harrison Butker:
“Whatever you say, you better believe it…They have a choice and if they want to go in that direction, go right ahead.”pic.twitter.com/0xg3D5L2bX
— Catholic Vote (@CatholicVote) May 22, 2024
This is a perfect answer in many ways. McDaniel never said players shouldn’t speak up. Instead, he argues, players should take stock of what they believe, what they believe, and the consequences of saying it. What if the players meet all of those requirements? Please do.
In fact, that’s what the NFL’s initial reaction to Butker’s speech should have been. Have the league’s “diversity officer” make damning statements distancing the league from Christian values and make it clear that the league’s emphasis on “inclusivity” does not include traditional Christianity. Instead of asking, he should have said, “I hope Harrison believes what he says and is aware of the consequences.”
So much for this. Instead, the league once again had to demonstrate its moral integrity to the liberal thought and speech police that they clearly fear.
Either way, well done Mike McDaniel.
