More than a week after making headlines with his controversial commencement speech at Benedictine College, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker attended his team's first day of voluntary workouts.
Butker did not speak to reporters Wednesday, but quarterback Patrick Mahomes and coach Andy Reid did, and unsurprisingly, they were asked about the May 11 speech in which Butker expressed radical views on the gender roles and attacked abortion, President Biden and Pride month. as he addressed the 485 students graduating from the private Catholic university in Atchison, Kansas.
“There are certain things he said that I don't necessarily agree with, but I understand the person he is and he's trying to do everything he can to guide people in the right direction,” Mahomes said. “And they may not be the same values that I have, but at the same time I'm going to judge him by the character that he shows every day and that he is a great person.”
Reid said: “I talk to Harrison all the time. I didn't tell him about this. I didn't think we needed it. We are a microcosm of life here. They are all from different areas, different religions, different races. And so we all get along. “We all respect each other’s opinions.”
Additionally, as the NFL wrapped up its spring meetings Wednesday in Nashville, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell responded to a question about Butker's comments by saying, “We have over 3,000 players. We have executives throughout the league who have a diversity of opinions and thoughts, just like America. “I think it's something that we treasure and that, ultimately, I think it's part of what makes us better as a society.”
Last week, Jonathan Beane, the NFL's senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer, issued a statement saying that “Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity. His 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 his commencement speech, Butker told the graduates to “make no apologies for your masculinity” and told the graduates that “I would venture to guess that most of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring to this world”. .”
Butker then told those women 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 mother. …It cannot be overstated that all of my success was made possible by a girl I met in high school band class converting to the faith, becoming my wife, and adopting one of the most important titles of all. : housewife”.
Reid was asked Wednesday what he would say to female staffers if they came to him with concerns about what Butker said in his speech.
“That hasn't happened,” Reid said. “I don't think she was talking bad about women. But he has his opinions and we all respect them. “I let them into this room and they all have a lot of opinions that I don’t like.”
Butker, Reid and Mahomes have been members of a Chiefs team that has participated in four of the last five Super Bowls and won three, including the last two. Mahomes said he could attest to Butker's character.
“I know Harrison. I’ve known him for seven years and I judge him by the character that he shows every day, and that’s a good person,” Mahomes said. “He is someone who cares about the people around him, he cares about his family and wants to have a good impact on society.”
