Harrison Butker stands by his comments.
The Chiefs kicker spoke publicly Friday for the first time since his controversial commencement speech at Benedictine University.
“This is a conscious decision that I made and I don’t regret it at all,” Butker said at the Regina Caeli Academy’s Courage Under Fire gala in Nashville.
In speaking with Benedictine alumni, Butker suggested that women who earn their degrees are told “diabolical lies” about job opportunities and are actually more excited about their roles as wives and mothers than starting their careers, commented on Pride Month and spoke out against “a month dedicated to the deadly sin of pride,” blasted Joe Biden and his policies as president, condemned abortion, and touched on a variety of other cultural and social topics.
The NFL released a statement shortly after Butker’s initial comments, saying “the views are not those of the NFL organization,” and Butker received harsh backlash.
“Over the past few days, my beliefs, or what people think I believe, have been the focus of countless debates around the world,” Butker said Friday. “Initially, many expressed shocking levels of hatred. But as the days have passed, even those who don’t agree with my views have come to support my religious freedom.”
Patrick Mahomes said he disagreed with Butker’s comments but defended him as a teammate.
“I’ve known him for seven years,” Mahomes said during the Chiefs’ OTAs, “and I judge him by the character that he displays every day, which is that he’s a good person. We don’t always agree. There are some things he’s said that I don’t agree with.”
Travis Kelce echoed similar sentiments.
“I’ve known him for over seven years, probably eight years, and I value him as a teammate,” Kelce said at the Chiefs’ OTAs. “I think Pat said it best: He’s a great person in every way, a great teammate. He’s treated my friends and family that I’ve introduced him to with nothing but respect and kindness. He treats everybody the same.”
“His views and his [Benedictine College] “The commencement speech was his. I can’t say I agree with most or even any of it, except that he loves his family and his children. I don’t think we should judge him on his views, especially his religious views on how to live life. That’s not me.”
