Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker recently delivered a controversial commencement speech at Benedictine College that received significant online backlash. Despite this, Butker’s jersey sales are doing well, with his jersey listed among the top sellers on the NFL Shop website, tagged as “Most Popular in Kansas City Chiefs.” Fans continue to show support for Butker despite criticism of his remarks about Pride Month, the transgender community, COVID-19, and women. In his speech, Butker made controversial statements about women aspiring to be homemakers, which sparked outrage among critics.
Butker’s comments on Pride Month drew backlash, as he criticized the celebration of what he called “dangerous gender ideologies.” He also addressed COVID-19 in his speech, attributing issues like abortion, IVF, surrogacy, and euthanasia to poor leadership related to the pandemic. Despite the controversy surrounding his speech, Butker’s jersey sales have not been negatively impacted, with his merchandise continuing to sell well. A small portion of the proceeds from jersey sales goes to the NFL Players Association and the player featured on the uniform.
A Change.org petition calling for the Kansas City Chiefs to dismiss Butker has garnered nearly 190,000 signatures as of now. The petition accuses Butker’s remarks of being sexist, homophobic, anti-trans, anti-abortion, and racist, claiming they perpetuate division and undermine human rights. The petition aims to hold sports figures accountable for promoting respect for all individuals, regardless of race, gender identity, or sexual orientation. The petition calls on the Chiefs’ management to take action against Butker for his controversial and inappropriate conduct.
The strong reactions to Butker’s speech highlight the ongoing debates about free speech, social responsibility, and accountability for public figures. While some fans continue to support Butker and his jersey remains popular among buyers, others are calling for consequences for his controversial statements. The petition calling for Butker’s dismissal reflects a growing demand for accountability from sports figures and public figures in general. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL will respond to the situation and address the concerns raised by Butker’s speech.
