The National Football League has officially distanced itself from a speech given by Kansas City Chiefs placekicker Harrison Butker on Sunday. The League’s senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer pointed out that Butker’s remarks were his own and were not shared by the league, who routinely paints social justice propaganda on its fields.
In a commencement speech at Benedictine College, a Catholic liberal arts college in Atchison, Kansas, Butker gave an unapologetic defense of traditional Catholic values. Butker lauded life and motherhood while deriding what he called “the tyranny of diversity, equity, and inclusion.” Butker’s Catholic honesty didn’t sit well with the NFL.
“Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity,” said a statement issued by Jonathan Beane, the League’s DEI chief. “His views are not those of the NFL as an organization. The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger.”
It wasn’t as if Benedictine didn’t know what they were getting in choosing Butker to give remarks. Previously, he gave a commencement address at his alma mater Georgia Tech, in which he lambasted so-called identity politics.
“Identity politics have caused us to look at one another through a prism of hate and lack of respect for the human person,” Butker said at the time. “It seems the days of seeing the value of others may be gone, understanding that all people have innate value bestowed upon them by the creator. Gone are the days when a plurality of thought was accepted and encouraged.”
Butker added, “Instead, freedom of thought has been replaced by a culture built on cancellations for those who disagree.”
On Sunday, the kicker told graduates, “It is safe to say that over the past few years, I have gained quite the reputation for speaking my mind.”
At Benedictine on Sunday, the Super Bowl winner blasted President Joe Biden for his full-throated support of abortion while claiming to be an observant Catholic.
“Our own nation is led by a man who publicly and proudly proclaims his Catholic faith, but at the same time is delusional enough to make the Sign of the Cross during a pro-abortion rally. He has been so vocal in his support for the murder of innocent babies that I’m sure to many people it appears that you can be both Catholic and pro-choice.”
And that wasn’t all. Butker spoke on the role of women and appeared to advocate for a more traditional role for females. Speaking directly to women, he referenced the “diabolical lies” told to women.
“How many of you are sitting here now about to cross this stage and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you are going to get in your career?” Butker asked. “Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.”
Butker gushed effusively for his wife, Isabelle.
“I’m beyond blessed with the many talents God has given me, but it cannot be overstated that all of my success is made possible because a girl I met in band class back in middle school would convert to the faith, become my wife, and embrace one of the most important titles of all: homemaker,” the Kansas City Chief star said to thunderous applause.
Butker also had words of encouragement for the male graduates, urging them to be “unapologetic in your masculinity” and to fight against the “cultural emasculation of men.”
“Never settle for what is easy,” Butker said. “You might have a talent that you don’t necessarily enjoy, but if it glorifies God, maybe you should lean into that over something that you might think suits you better.”
The LGBT community was not spared a swipe from Butker’s oratory.
“I am certain the reporters at the AP could not have imagined that their attempt to rebuke and embarrass places and people like those here at Benedictine wouldn’t be met with anger, but instead met with excitement and pride,” Butker said. “Not the deadly sin sort of pride that has an entire month dedicated to it, but the true God-centered pride that is cooperating with the Holy Ghost to glorify him.”
Leftists, predictably, were angry over Butker’s comments, calling them “sexist,” “homophobic,” “anti-trans” and “hateful.” A change.org petition has been launched demanding that the Chiefs release Butker from their roster, over what it terms his “harmful” remarks.
“We demand accountability from our sports figures who should be role models promoting respect for all people regardless of their race, gender identity or sexual orientation,” the petition states. “We call upon the Kansas City Chiefs management to dismiss Harrison Butker immediately for his inappropriate conduct.”
And the kicker seemed to know that the angry leftist backlash was coming when he said, “I know that my message today had a little less fluff than is expected for these speeches, but I believe that this audience and this venue is the best place to speak openly and honestly about who we are and where we all want to go, which is Heaven.”
