Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker was the commencement speaker at a private university in Kansas this past weekend. The three-time Super Bowl winner raised several issues during his roughly 20-minute speech at Benedictine College.
At one point in the speech, she encouraged the women in the class to embrace their “vocation” as a “homemaker.” Butker also attacked Pride month, which annually has been a particularly significant time for the LGBTQ+ community.
“I think it's you women who have been told the most diabolical lies,” Butker said.
“Some of you may go on to have successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that most of you are more excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world. I can tell you that my beautiful wife Isabelle would be the first to say that her life really began when she began to live her vocation as a wife and mother,” she stated.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Harrison Butker #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles prior to Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Butker also took aim at President Joe Biden for his position on abortion and his administration's COVID-19 policies.
CLICK HERE TO READ HARRISON BUTKER'S FULL SPEECH
“While COVID may have played a role during his formative years, it is not unique,” he said. “Bad policies and poor leadership have negatively impacted important life issues. Things like abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, as well as growing support for degenerate cultural values and media, all arise of the omnipresence of disorder”.
KANSAS CITY APOLOGIZES AFTER DOXING CHIEFS' HARRISON BUTKER AFTER FAITH-BASED COMMENCEMENT SPEECH
Butker also encouraged women to embrace what he called “the greatest titles of all” as Catholics.
“To the ladies here today, congratulations on an amazing achievement. You should be proud of everything you have accomplished to this point in your young lives,” she said. “I want to speak directly to you briefly, because I believe it is you women who have been told the most diabolical lies. How many of you are sitting here now, about to cross this stage, and are thinking about all of you? What promotions and titles will you earn in your career? Some of you may go on to have successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that most of you are more excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into it. world.”
Harrison Butker of the Kansas City Chiefs speaks during a press conference during opening night of Super Bowl LVIII on February 5, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photos by Robin Alam/ISI)
In a statement to People magazine, the NFL said Butker spoke “in a personal capacity” during the speech.
“Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity,” said Jonathan Beane, senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer for the NFL. he told the media. “Their views are not those of the NFL as an organization. The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only strengthens our league.”
Harrison Butker #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on from the sideline during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on November 20, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Perry Knotts/Wesley Hitt)
CatholicVote, a nonprofit advocacy group, addressed a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt shortly after the league released its statement about Butker.
“In that speech, for which he received a standing ovation, Butker called on Catholics to live in accordance with the high ideals of our faith, including upholding the dignity of every human life, the fundamental role of the family, and the gift of life. motherhood,” Burch wrote on May 16.
“These ideals are not controversial to millions of Americans and, in fact, remain sacred to millions of religious believers, including millions of his fans and customers. A recent statement from the league distancing itself from Butker over his comments calls into question his commitment to genuine diversity and inclusion.”
CatholicVote wrote on X that Butker “didn't say anything wrong” and also referred to Butker's speech on Instagram.
“THIS IS POWERFUL. Catholic Super Bowl champion Harrison Butker drops TRUTH bombs on courage, faith and leadership,” the organization wrote.
Bukter also received support from teammate Chris Jones.
“I love you @buttkicker7! My brother,” Jones wrote on X, formerly Twitter, after a petition emerged urging the Chiefs to release the kicker.
When an X user asked if Jones would delete the post, the five-time defensive tackle said, “Negative.”
Fox News Digital reached out to the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
However, Gracie Hunt, daughter of Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt, weighed in on Butker's commencement speech during a recent appearance on the Fox News Channel show. “Fox and friends” with Steve Doocy and Will Cain.
Gracie Hunt, daughter of Kansas City Chiefs owner Clarke Hunt, watches before a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on October 29, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
He suggested that his mother staying home played a key role in his growth into the person he is today.
“Well, I can only speak from my own experience, which is that I had the most incredible mother who had the ability to stay home and be with us when we were kids. And I understand that there are many women who can do that.” “I didn't make that decision, but for me and my life, I know it was really formative and helped make me and my brothers who we are,” she said.
But amid the backlash, demand for Butker's Chiefs jersey appears to have skyrocketed.
Harrison Butker #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs watches his 28-yard field goal during the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Until Thursday, Butker's jersey appeared to be among the most requested items by fans on NFL.com. Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes' jersey is also among the league's best-selling jerseys.
Butker wore number 87 in college when he punted for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. He currently wears the number 7 shirt.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Butker's speech at Benedictine was not the first time he publicly expressed his personal beliefs. He returned to his alma mater last year and offered some advice to the class.
“I'm not sure the root of this, but I can at least offer a controversial antidote that I believe will have a lasting impact on generations to come: getting married and starting a family,” Butker told Georgia Tech's class of 2023.
Follow Fox News Digital sports coverage in Xand subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
