Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker told reporters this week that the content of his controversial commencement speech remains unchanged.
In May, the three-time Super Bowl champion became the latest target of cancel culture after delivering a pro-Catholic commencement speech affirming traditional values at Benedictine University, which went viral and sparked petitions. Approximately 240,000 signatures — called for his firing, with one critic even saying a woman should replace him.
“No matter what your opinion is, no matter how different we are, I will still love you.”
Butker spoke to the media at Kansas City Chiefs training camp on Wednesday and answered several questions about the controversy.
“I’ve prayed about it, I’ve thought about it, I’ve been very intentional about what I said and I take responsibility for what I said,” Butker said.
“And I truly believe that if people know me as a person and understand that I come from a place of love and I’m not trying to attack or degrade anyone, 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.
In her commencement speech, Ms Butker urged female graduates not to believe the “satanic lies” that society tells women that being a mother or wife is not a worthwhile career. Critics have accused her of being misogynistic and belittling women.
But he said Wednesday those accusations were far from the truth.
“I think even before I was a kicker, I’ve always talked about being a husband and a father. That’s something I’ve always preached,” he said.
“My wife had never heard me speak publicly before, but she was there in that moment, and I was overwhelmed with emotion as I saw her crying and realized how much she has sacrificed for me,” Butker continued. “She has completely turned her life around and is focused on being the best wife and mother she can be.”
“And I love that about her so much. And I see how happy and excited she is to wake up every day and embrace that life,” he explained. “And she inspires me to be a better husband, a better father, to focus on my three kids and to focus on her, rather than trying to be the best kicker on the field.”
Most importantly, Butker delivered a message to his critics that reflected his Christian faith.
“I want people to know that whatever I say, it may be the opposite of what you say. No matter what your opinion is, no matter how different we are, I’m still going to love you,” he said. “I love you and we’re going to get along and we’ll probably be good friends.”
Earlier this week, Butker signed a new contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, a four-year extension worth $25.6 million, making him the highest-paid kicker in NFL history.
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