Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker gave the commencement address at a private university in Kansas over the weekend. The three-time Super Bowl champion covered several topics during his roughly 20-minute speech at Benedictine College.
At one point during his speech, he encouraged graduating women to embrace their “vocation” as “housewives.” Butker also attacked Pride Month, which is a particularly important time of year for the LGBTQ+ community.
“I think it’s you, the women, who have told the most diabolical lies,” Butker said.
“While some of you may go on to successful careers in the world, I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into the world. I can say that my beautiful wife, Isabel, will be the first to say that her life really began when she began fulfilling her duties as a wife and mother. said.
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Harrison Butker #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up before a game against the Philadelphia Eagles before Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Cooper Neal/Getty Images)
Butker also criticized President Joe Biden’s positions on abortion and his administration’s COVID-19 policies.
Click here to read Harrison Butker’s full speech
“COVID-19 may have played a big role throughout your formative years, but it’s not unique,” he says. “Bad policies and poor leadership are having a negative impact on major life issues such as abortion, in vitro fertilization, surrogacy, euthanasia, and the growing support for corrupt cultural values and media. , all due to widespread disorder.”
Kansas City apologizes to Mayor Harrison Butterker after he used abusive language after giving a faith-based commencement speech
Butker also encouraged women to embrace what he called “the most important title of all” as a Catholic.
“Congratulations to all the women in attendance today on your amazing achievements. You should be proud of all you have achieved so far in your young lives,” he said. “I want to address you directly and briefly, because I believe it is you women who have told you the most diabolical lie. How many of you are currently going through this stage and are thinking about the following? If I had to guess, I’d say the majority of people are most excited about their marriage and the children they’ll bring into this world.
Harrison Butker of the Kansas City Chiefs speaks to media reporters during the opening game of Super Bowl III on February 5, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Robin Allum/ISI Photo)
In a statement to People magazine, the NFL said Butker spoke in a “personal capacity” during his speech.
“Harrison Butker spoke in his personal capacity,” said Jonathan Beane, NFL senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer. he told the outlet. “His views are not those of the NFL as an organization. The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusivity, which only makes our league stronger.”
Harrison Butker #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on November 20, 2023. Watch from the sideline. (Perry Knotts/Wesley Hitt)
CatholicVote is a nonprofit advocacy group. addressed to the letter Shortly after the league released its statement about Butker, it addressed NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt.
“In his speech, which received a standing ovation, Mr. Butker urged Catholics to embrace the lofty ideals of our faith, including upholding the sanctity of every human life, the fundamental role of the family, and the gift of God. Motherhood,” Birch wrote on May 16.
“These ideals are not controversial to millions of Americans and remain sacred to millions of religious believers, including millions of fans and customers.” The league’s recent statements distancing itself from the organization call into question your commitment to true diversity and inclusion. ”
CatholicVote wrote to X that Butker “didn’t say anything wrong,” and also referred to Butker’s speech on Instagram.
“This is powerful. Catholic Super Bowl champion Harrison Butker drops a truth bomb about courage, faith, and leadership,” the group wrote.
Buchtel also received support from teammate Chris Jones.
“Love you @buttkicker7! My brother,” Jones wrote on X (formerly Twitter) after a petition surfaced asking the Chiefs to release the kicker.
When an X user wondered if Jones would delete the post, the five-time defensive tackle responded “negatively.”
Fox News Digital reached out to the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
However, Gracie Hunt, the daughter of Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt, weighed in on Butker’s commencement speech during a recent appearance on Fox News Channel. “Fox & Friends” With Steve Doocy and Will Kane.
Gracie Hunt, daughter of Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, watches a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on October 29, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
She suggested that her stay-at-home mother played an important role in developing her into the person she is today.
“Well, I can only speak from my own experience, which is that I was the most amazing mother who had the ability to stay home and spend time with us while our children were growing up. “I understand that there are a lot of women out there who can do it,” but I know that for me and my life, it was really formative and it shaped me and my siblings,” she said. Told.
However, amid the response, demand for Butker’s Chiefs jersey appears to have skyrocketed.
Kansas City Chiefs No. 7 Harrison Butker runs for 28 yards during the second quarter of a game against the San Francisco 49ers during Super Bowl III at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on February 11, 2024. Watching for a field goal. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
As of Thursday, Butker’s jersey appears to be one of the most sought-after pieces of fan gear on NFL.com. Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ jersey is also listed as one of the best-selling jerseys in the league.
Butker wore No. 87 in college for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. He currently wears number 7 on his back.
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Butker’s speech to the Benedictine community was not the first time he publicly expressed his personal beliefs. He returned to his alma mater last year and gave advice to his graduates.
“I don’t know the root of this problem, but I can at least offer one controversial antidote that I believe will have a lasting impact for generations to come. It’s about building a family,” Butker, Georgia Tech’s Class of 2023, said.
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