The NFL distances itself from speech Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker delivered during a commencement speech at a private university in Kansas over the weekend, when she encouraged female graduates to embrace their “calling” as “homemakers” and criticized the LGBTQ community and President Biden for his stance on the abortion.
Butker, three times Super Bowl Champion, has received overwhelming backlash on social media for his comments made during a roughly 20-minute speech he gave at Benedictine College over the weekend.
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker speaks to the media during opening night of NFL football Super Bowl LVIII, Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
Speaking to People magazine, the NFL clarified that Butker spoke in a “personal capacity” and reiterated the league's stance on inclusion.
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“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.”
During her speech, Butker encouraged women to embrace what she called “the greatest titles of all” as a Catholic
“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, number 7 of the Kansas City Chiefs, kicks a field goal during the NFL Super Bowl LVIII football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
CHIEF'S HARRISON BUTKER GOES AFTER BID ON ABORTION STANCE AS A CATHOLIC
“I can tell you that my beautiful wife, Isabelle, would be the first to say that her life truly began when she began to live her calling as a wife and as a mother. Today I am on this stage and I can be the man that I am because I have a wife who relies on his calling. I am beyond blessed with the many talents that God has given me, but it cannot be understated that all of my success was made possible by a girl I met in high school band class back in the day. faith, I would become my wife and embrace one of the most important titles of all: housewife.
Butker also referenced Pride month in his speech, calling it a “mortal sin, a kind of pride that a month is dedicated to,” and specifically noted Biden's “delusional” stance on abortion.
“He's been so vocal in his support for the murder of innocent babies that I'm sure it seems to a lot of people that you can be Catholic and pro-choice,” he said. via OutKick.
Placekicker Harrison Butker, number 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. (Candice Ward/Getty Images)
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“You are not alone. From the man behind the COVID lockdowns to the people pushing dangerous gender ideologies among America's youth, they all have one obvious thing in common: They are Catholic. This is an important reminder that being Catholic “It's not enough on its own.”
the bosses He did not comment on Butker's speech.
He carolina panthers selected Butker with the 233rd overall pick in the 2017 draft. However, he never played in the regular season for them. He joined the Chiefs that year and has played 107 games for them since then.
Ryan Gaydos of Fox News and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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