Harrison Butker was at the center of controversy after giving a controversial commencement speech at a Kansas university in May.
Nearly three months later, the Chiefs kicker is standing by the comments he made at Benedictine College, which also included saying women in the workplace have been “told the worst lies.”
Butker, 29; He spoke to reporters at training camp on Wednesday.Two days after signing a $25.6 million contract to become the NFL’s highest-paid placekicker, he spoke about a speech he said Benedictine College had asked him to give.
Kicker said he “respects all of the views” of those who spoke out about his speech, including his criticism of President Joe Biden and his COVID-19 response, and Butker’s opposition to abortion, IVF, surrogacy and euthanasia.
“I prayed about it, I thought about it, and I was very intentional about what I said,” Butker said about the speech. “I stand by what I said.”
“I truly believe that if people know me as a person, they understand that it’s spoken out of love and not meant to be patronizing or degrading,” Butker added. “I just want what’s best for people and that’s what I was trying to say there and I think everyone in that gym understood what I was saying.”
He added that he sees himself as more of a husband and father than an NFL kicker.
Butker faced criticism from many in the sports world in the weeks and months following his comments at the university, including former ESPN host Michelle Beadle, ESPY Awards presenter Serena Williams and former Chiefs cheerleaders.
To be sure, he had plenty of allies on his side, including Chiefs heir Gracie Hunt, who praised Butker days after the speech went viral.
“I’ve been in the league for seven years and I’ve taken a stand,” Butker added Wednesday, “so there are people who want me to make a statement that I think is very important.”
“I will continue to say what I believe to be true and love everyone in the process.”
Butker said the speech actually led to more conversations in the locker room among players with differing opinions.
The Chiefs, who have won back-to-back Super Bowls, will open the regular season on September 5 against the Ravens on “Thursday Night Football.”
Butker is coming off the best season of his career, shooting 94.3 percent from the field.
