Jason Kelce spoke about the backlash that engulfed Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker on Friday following Butker’s controversial commencement speech at Benedictine University this month.
The latest “New Heights” PodcastThe former Eagles centre gave his opinion on the controversy surrounding Butker, who has been accused of sexist and anti-LGBTQIA+ comments, saying his wife, Kylie, with whom he has three young daughters, was “a little annoyed” by the comments.
“There will always be opinions shared by everyone that you don’t agree with. Don’t get me wrong, a lot of the things he said in his commencement speech I don’t agree with,” Jason said.
“…And for me, when I hear someone speak, I can find great value in what they’re saying, like when they’re talking about the importance of family and the role that a great mother can play, but at the same time, I acknowledge that not everyone has to be a housewife if they don’t want to do that in life. When I’m listening to someone, I take in what I like and I hear other things and I say, Oh, I don’t like that.”
In her now-viral commencement speech, the 28-year-old Bhatkar focused on several topics, including politics, religion and cultural issues. She focused on women, encouraging them to “embrace housewifery as one of the most important aspects.”
“My beautiful wife, Isabel, will be the first to say that her journey truly began when she found her calling as a wife and mother. I am here on this stage and have become who I am because of a wife who is dedicated to her calling. I cannot overstate how much I owe all of my success to a girl I met in middle school class who was converted, became my wife and began my path to one of the most important qualities – being a homemaker,” Butker said at the time.
Kylie, who drew praise for her commencement speech at her alma mater, Cabrini College, this month, was not happy with Butker’s comments, Jason said, and he joked that Butker then asked Kylie to make him a sandwich.
“I think my wife was a little annoyed with some of the comments, and at first I was like, ‘Listen, go back to the kitchen and make me a sandwich. I’m listening to the game right now,'” said Jason, who was chided for going off course by his brother, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
“We were getting on great, we were on top of things,” Travis, 34, said, to which Jason replied: “I hope she didn’t hear that.”
Kylie, who married Jason in 2018, told the Cabrini graduates to stay true to themselves as they move on to the next chapter in their lives.
“Find what speaks to you. Channel your passion into making a difference. You are amazing just the way you are.” Kylie saidHe graduated in 2017.
Like Travis, who praised Butker as a person but doesn’t agree with his views, Jason echoed similar sentiments on Friday.
“We’ve played with people throughout our careers that we didn’t agree with on everything. I don’t know if I’ve ever played with teammates that we agreed with on everything each other thinks,” Jason said. “And that’s the beauty of it. Finding ways to work together and finding ways to grow together.”
