Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker gave a commencement address at a Catholic liberal arts school in Kansas that has sparked strong reactions. Despite the controversy surrounding his speech, demand for Butker’s Chiefs jersey has increased, with his jersey being among the most popular items on NFL.com. Butker wore No. 87 in college, but currently wears No. 7 with the Chiefs. In his speech, Butker discussed various topics, including his conservative Catholic beliefs and his views on issues such as COVID-19 policies and abortion.
During his speech at Benedictine College, Butker criticized what he described as “bad” COVID-19 policies, and expressed his views on topics such as abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, and cultural values. He has been vocal about his conservative Catholic beliefs, and his message at Benedictine College echoed similar sentiments he shared during a commencement speech at his alma mater, Georgia Tech, where he encouraged graduating students to get married and start a family. The NFL released a statement distancing itself from Butker’s views, stating that his speech was given in his capacity as an individual and not reflective of the league’s stance on inclusion.
Butker also addressed women in his speech, congratulating them on their accomplishments but also encouraging them to prioritize marriage and children. He shared the story of his wife, Isabelle, and emphasized the importance of her role as a wife and mother in his life. Butker’s comments on marriage and family have garnered mixed reactions, with some praising his traditional views while others have criticized his statements as outdated. The Chiefs did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Butker’s speech.
Harrison Butker was drafted by the Chiefs in 2017 and has had a successful career as a kicker, with an 89.1 career field goal percentage. He has been a part of three Super Bowl-winning teams with the Chiefs. While some may disagree with Butker’s views and statements, his success as a professional athlete cannot be denied. It remains to be seen how his commencement address and controversial remarks will impact his public image and the perception of the Kansas City Chiefs organization. Followers of Butker and the Chiefs can stay updated on the latest news and developments in sports by subscribing to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
