Kansas City Chiefs leader Harrison Butker has no regrets expressing his beliefs in a recent commencement speech. He said he has received both support and “a shocking level of hate” from others.
Butker spoke Friday evening at the Regina Caeli Academy Courage Under Fire Gala in Nashville, Tennessee.
He made his first public comments since his controversial recent speech at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, where he said most women who earned degrees were likely more enthusiastic about getting married and having children; argued that some Catholic leaders were “pushing dangerous gender ideologies onto America’s youth”; referred to a “deadly sin kind of pride to which a month is dedicated” in an oblique reference to Pride month; and took aim at President Joe Biden’s policies, including his condemnation of the Supreme Court’s reversal of the 1973 Roe v Wade decision.
“In recent days, my beliefs, or what people think I believe, have been the focus of countless discussions around the world,” Butker said Friday. “In the beginning, many people expressed a shocking level of hatred. But as the days passed, even those who disagreed with my views shared their support for my religious freedom.”
Butker said he understands being criticized for his performance on the field. The 28-year-old said he values his religion more than football.
“It’s a decision I made consciously and I don’t regret it at all,” he said.
The NFL has distanced itself from Butker’s comments. The league said the comments and “views are not those of the NFL as an organization.”
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said the three-time Super Bowl winner is entitled to his beliefs, even if he doesn’t always agree with him.
Speaking about Butker on his New Heights podcast, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said he cherishes Butker as a teammate.
“When it comes to his views and what he said during the speech, those are his,” Kelce said. “I can’t say I agree with most or most of it, except that he just loves his family and his kids. And I don’t think I should judge him on his views, especially his religious views, on how to live life, that’s just not who I am.
Kelce does the podcast with his brother Jason, who recently retired after an outstanding career with the Philadelphia Eagles.