Harrison Butker made his first public appearance Friday night since his commencement speech at Benedectine College and showed no regrets.
The Kansas City Chiefs kicker appeared at the “Courage Under Fire Gala” in Nashville on Friday, which was presented by Regina Caeli Academy.
The academy “encourages our students to strive for academic excellence, as well as virtuous living, self-discipline, and responsibility through a classical education taught in light of the Catholic tradition,” according to its website. Butker has been on the academy's board of directors since last year.
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Placekicker Harrison Butker #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates kicking a field goal in the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 26, 2023, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders 31-17. (Candice Ward/Getty Images)
Butker took the stage at the gala and received a standing ovation before another speech in which he doubled down on his faith and his comments, despite the scrutiny he has faced.
“The theme for tonight's gala, Courage Under Fire, was decided many months ago, but it now seems providential that this is the theme after what we have all witnessed these past two weeks,” Butker said. “If it wasn't clear that many hate eternal Catholic values, it is now.”
Butker said he understands that he has become a “more polarizing” figure the more he has spoken out about his beliefs, but he will never care what people think of him.
“Our love for Jesus, and therefore our desire to speak, must never be overcome by the longing of our fallen nature to be loved by the world. Glorifying God and not ourselves must always remain our motivation despite any rejection, or even support. I rely on the people closest to me for guidance, but I can never forget that it is not the people, but Jesus Christ, who I am trying to please.”
Harrison Butker #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up before Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, NV. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
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Butker added that he feels “humbled” by the support he has received, and that all the backlash he has suffered cannot be compared to the “courage that many saints have shown in their lives.”
“If I constantly remember the difficulties that the saints went through, especially the martyrs in their persecution, everything seems not to be so bad. Because if Heaven is our goal, we must embrace our cross, no matter how big or small, and live our live with joy to be a courageous witness of Christ,” Butker said.
SEE THE FULL SPEECH HERE
“My hope is that tonight's topic and RCA's mission will encourage others that many more will not regret their Catholic faith and will never be afraid to speak for the truth, even when it goes against the loudest voices. In the end, being brave starts with the small things, not liking some people and characterizing you badly is nothing compared to finding yourself in the lions' den.”
Early on, Butker urged female graduates to embrace being “housewives” and criticized the LGBTQ community and President Biden for his stance on abortion.
In the speech, Butker added that “things like abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, as well as growing support for degenerate cultural values and media, arise from the omnipresence of disorder.”
Harrison Butker of the Kansas City Chiefs speaks to the media during opening night of Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium prior to Super Bowl LVIII on February 5, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
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Butcher t-shirts for sale since then they have skyrocketed at NFL Shop, while many in the media remain divided over the speech.
Butker played in his third Super Bowl this year with Kansas City, helping them make it back-to-back in February.
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