ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker said Wednesday he was “very intentional” in the comments he made during a polarizing college commencement speech in May and that he stands behind what he said then.
Butker said he didn’t initially plan to deliver the May 11 speech at Benedictine College, a private Catholic liberal arts school in Atchison, Kansas. He delivered a commencement speech at his alma mater Georgia Tech in May 2023, and didn’t “want to be known as a commencement speaker,” he said. Butker reversed course after reflecting upon his relationship with the college.
“I feel like, seven years in the league, having this platform, I’ve just decided, You know what, there’s things that I believe wholeheartedly that I think will make this world a better place, and I’m going to preach that. And if people don’t agree, they don’t agree, but I’m going to continue to say what I believe to be true and love everyone along the way,” Butker said.
Addressing the speech, Butker said, “I prayed about it, and I thought about it, and I was very intentional with what I said, and I stand behind what I said.”
During the speech, the three-time Super Bowl champion told the graduating class that most of the women receiving degrees were probably more excited about getting married and having children, and that some Catholic leaders were “pushing dangerous gender ideologies onto the youth of America.”
Butker also assailed Pride month, an important time for the LGBTQ+ community, and President Joe Biden’s stance on abortion.
The NFL distanced itself from Butker after the speech, saying “his views are not those of the NFL as an organization.”
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said at the time that while he doesn’t agree with all the beliefs espoused by Butker during the address, he nevertheless respected his teammate’s right to make them be known.
The 29-year-old kicker said Wednesday that he feels some of his remarks were misinterpreted.
“My whole career, I’ve talked about how I’m a husband and I’m a father before it comes to me as a kicker, something I’ve always preached,” he said. “But then when I use that to talk about women, I say that they should embrace and love being wives and being mothers over their career, I think then it gets construed that I’m trying to put women down, which I’m not at all.”
Butker said the speech sparked discussions and debates within the Chiefs locker room, which he views as a positive outcome. He said the conversations between players trying to understand each other’s beliefs have been “a beautiful thing to see.”
Butker this week agreed to a contract extension reportedly worth $25.6 million over the next four seasons, making him the league’s highest-paid kicker. His 89.1 per cent success rate on field goals over the last seven seasons ranks him as the second-most accurate kicker in league history behind only Justin Tucker (90.2 per cent).
Kansas City Chiefs’ kicker Harrison Butker recently found himself in hot water after making controversial comments during a speech at a team event. Butker, who is known for his accuracy on the field, faced backlash for his remarks, but he is now defending his words and explaining the context behind them.
In his speech, Butker reportedly made comments that some found offensive and inappropriate. However, the kicker has since clarified that his words were taken out of context and that he did not intend to offend anyone. Butker explained that he was trying to make a point about the importance of teamwork and unity within the team, but his words were misinterpreted.
Butker has been with the Chiefs since 2017 and has become a key player on the team. Known for his strong leg and ability to make clutch kicks, Butker has earned the respect of his teammates and fans alike. Despite the controversy surrounding his recent comments, Butker remains focused on his performance on the field and helping the Chiefs succeed.
In a statement released by the team, Butker expressed regret for any offense caused by his remarks and emphasized that he values diversity and inclusion. He also thanked his teammates and coaches for their support during this challenging time.
As a professional athlete, Butker understands the importance of being a role model and representing his team and community with integrity. While he may have made a mistake with his comments, Butker is taking responsibility for his words and working to learn from the experience.
In conclusion, Harrison Butker’s controversial comments have sparked debate and criticism, but the Chiefs’ kicker is standing by his words and seeking to move forward in a positive way. As a talented athlete and leader on the team, Butker is committed to making amends and continuing to contribute to the success of the Kansas City Chiefs.