Jason Kelce has backed Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during his controversial speech in which he emphasized the importance of family.
Butker sparked controversy earlier this month when he addressed Benedictine College graduates after claiming women should prioritize being “housewives” rather than pursuing a career, while also taking aim at the LGBTQ+ community , abortion advocates and more in an opinion-dividing speech.
While some have criticized the Super Bowl winner, retired Philadelphia Eagles legend Kelce sought a more positive take on Butker’s speech, even as he admitted he disagreed with the entire speech.
The former Super Bowl-winning center claimed Butker shared an important message about family.
“He talks about family,” Kelce said on the latest episode of New heights. “I don’t think there are enough people talking about the foundation of the family and the seriousness of parenthood.
Jason Kelce has backed Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker over his controversial speech
‘If you want to be a parent, I think this should be the most important thing in your life. If your children are not the most important thing in you and your wife’s lives, you are failing in my opinion.
‘I don’t think women are the main problem here either. I think there is a much bigger problem with a different gender when it comes to raising children.
‘We’ve spent our entire career playing with people we don’t agree with on everything. I don’t know that I’ve played with one teammate where he and I agree with everything each of us thinks. And that’s the beauty! You find a way to work together.”
Kelce’s brother, Travis Kelce, a Chiefs teammate of Butker, also broke his silence on the saga during the episode. He stood up for his teammate against the backlash against cancel culture, even though he almost entirely disagreed with it.
Jason, who has three young daughters with his wife Kylie, added that the responses from the people who actually know Butker, such as Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs coach Andy Reid and Travis, had more value than those on the Internet.
“It’s always great to hear from people who actually know people, rather than a bunch of people replying to comments without actually meeting the guy,” he said.
“I think the reactions of teammates, the reaction of Andy Reid, you learn about people every day. There will always be opinions that everyone shares and that you disagree with.
“Make no mistake, the things he said in the speech are not things I subscribe to. But he gives a speech at a Catholic university and shockingly it turned out to be a very religious speech.
Butker asserted that women should prioritize being “homemakers” rather than pursuing a career
Travis Kelce has also spoken out about his teammate Butker’s recent speech
Kelce spoke out on his New Heights podcast – which he recorded in Europe while traveling with girlfriend Taylor Swift on her Eras Tour
The retired Eagles center said the saga has made him reflect on his own role as a father
“For me, I can listen and find value in someone talking about the importance of family and the importance of being a great mother – while also realizing that not everyone has to be a housewife if that’s not what they want to do. do in life.
“When you listen to someone, you pick up what you like and listen to other things and say I’m not that damned.”
“I’ve had so many people ask me what you would do if your daughters had to sit there and listen to someone tell them, after they had just graduated, that they should just sign up to be a housewife.
“I would say that if my daughters listen to anyone telling them what to do, that they should be housewives, then I have failed as a father,” Jason said.
‘What the hell are you talking about? I don’t care who’s talking to them, if you have someone on stage saying you can’t do that, and then you’re like, “oh f**k, I guess I’m not a CEO”… then save you don’t!
‘If you don’t like what someone says, all you have to do is say, ‘That guy’s a fucking idiot’ – and then you move on. To be honest, I don’t understand what all the fuss is about.’
Kelce then backtracked by emphasizing that he understands the controversy surrounding Butker’s comments, before making a joke about his wife Kylie when discussing her thoughts on the speech.
“I understand what the fuss is about, because I know that certain groups in this country have been persecuted for a long time,” he continued.
Butker pictured with his wife Isabelle and their son after a Chiefs game
Butker said his wife has no regrets about her career because of her role as mother to their family
“And women in particular, obviously my wife… I think she was a little frustrated by some of these comments.
“At first I said, listen, you’re going to have to go back to the kitchen and make me a sandwich. I’m listening to the game now.’
The Kelce brothers then burst out laughing before Travis said, “We were doing so well! We were killing it!’
Jason then added, “I hope she didn’t hear that.”