Why Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker’s Commencement Speech Sparks Controversy

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker has sparked significant controversy with his recent commencement address at Benedictine College, a private Catholic liberal arts school in Atchison, Kansas. During his 20-minute speech, Butker criticized Pride month, working women, and President Biden’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, among other issues.

Butker, a three-time Super Bowl champion known for his conservative Catholic beliefs, did not shy away from expressing his views. He began by denouncing what he described as “dangerous gender ideologies,” seemingly targeting Pride month, which has been celebrated every June since the Stonewall riots in 1969. He also took issue with a recent Associated Press article that discussed a shift towards conservativism in parts of the Catholic Church.

Continuing his address, Butker critiqued President Biden’s policies, particularly his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has claimed nearly 1.2 million lives in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “While COVID might have played a large role throughout your formative years, it is not unique,” Butker stated. “The bad policies and poor leadership have negatively impacted major life issues, including abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, as well as a growing support for degenerate cultural values and media stemming from the pervasiveness of disorder.”

Butker’s speech then shifted focus to the women in the audience, emphasizing that their “most important title” should be that of “homemaker.” He asserted, “I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolic lies told to you. Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world. My beautiful wife Isabelle would be the first to say her life truly started when she began living her vocation as a wife and mother.”

The Kansas City Chiefs declined to comment on Butker’s remarks. Since being selected in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Georgia Tech, Butker has established himself as one of the league’s top kickers. He set a Chiefs franchise record with a 62-yard field goal in 2022 and played a key role in the team’s first Super Bowl victory in 50 years in 2020. He added a second Lombardi Trophy to his achievements in 2023 and kicked the crucial field goal that forced overtime in a Super Bowl win over San Francisco in February.

Despite Butker’s on-field successes, the offseason has been turbulent for the Chiefs. Last month, Jackson County, Missouri voters rejected a ballot initiative that would have funded a downtown ballpark for the Royals and an $800 million renovation of Arrowhead Stadium, the home of the Chiefs. The plan faced criticism for seemingly catering primarily to VIPs and the wealthy.

Compounding the team’s off-field issues, wide receiver Rashee Rice turned himself in to Dallas police on multiple charges, including aggravated assault, following a high-speed crash that injured four people. Rice admitted to being the driver of one of the cars involved, and video footage showed him leaving the scene without offering assistance. Additionally, law enforcement officials informed The Dallas Morning News that Rice is suspected of assaulting a person at a downtown nightclub, though Dallas police have not publicly named him as the suspect.

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Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker has sparked significant controversy with his recent commencement address at Benedictine College, a private Catholic liberal arts school in Atchison, Kansas. During his 20-minute speech, Butker criticized Pride month, working women, and President Biden’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, among other issues.

Butker, a three-time Super Bowl champion known for his conservative Catholic beliefs, did not shy away from expressing his views. He began by denouncing what he described as “dangerous gender ideologies,” seemingly targeting Pride month, which has been celebrated every June since the Stonewall riots in 1969. He also took issue with a recent Associated Press article that discussed a shift towards conservativism in parts of the Catholic Church.

Continuing his address, Butker critiqued President Biden’s policies, particularly his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has claimed nearly 1.2 million lives in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “While COVID might have played a large role throughout your formative years, it is not unique,” Butker stated. “The bad policies and poor leadership have negatively impacted major life issues, including abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, as well as a growing support for degenerate cultural values and media stemming from the pervasiveness of disorder.”

Butker’s speech then shifted focus to the women in the audience, emphasizing that their “most important title” should be that of “homemaker.” He asserted, “I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolic lies told to you. Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world. My beautiful wife Isabelle would be the first to say her life truly started when she began living her vocation as a wife and mother.”

The Kansas City Chiefs declined to comment on Butker’s remarks. Since being selected in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Georgia Tech, Butker has established himself as one of the league’s top kickers. He set a Chiefs franchise record with a 62-yard field goal in 2022 and played a key role in the team’s first Super Bowl victory in 50 years in 2020. He added a second Lombardi Trophy to his achievements in 2023 and kicked the crucial field goal that forced overtime in a Super Bowl win over San Francisco in February.

Despite Butker’s on-field successes, the offseason has been turbulent for the Chiefs. Last month, Jackson County, Missouri voters rejected a ballot initiative that would have funded a downtown ballpark for the Royals and an $800 million renovation of Arrowhead Stadium, the home of the Chiefs. The plan faced criticism for seemingly catering primarily to VIPs and the wealthy.

Compounding the team’s off-field issues, wide receiver Rashee Rice turned himself in to Dallas police on multiple charges, including aggravated assault, following a high-speed crash that injured four people. Rice admitted to being the driver of one of the cars involved, and video footage showed him leaving the scene without offering assistance. Additionally, law enforcement officials informed The Dallas Morning News that Rice is suspected of assaulting a person at a downtown nightclub, though Dallas police have not publicly named him as the suspect.

This story was originally featured on AP News