It’s evident from the NFL that Harrison Butker does not represent them.
The Kansas City Chiefs kicker came under fire after his graduating address at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, on May 11. The speech covered a wide range of subjects, including LGBTQ+ rights, abortion, and women’s roles.
The NFL made it clear after the graduation speech that Butker’s remarks do not speak for the whole league.
The NFL’s senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer, Jonathan Beane, claimed in a statement to People that Harrison Butker “gave a speech in his personal capacity.” “The NFL as an organization does not share his opinions. The NFL is unwavering in its dedication to diversity, which strengthens our league even more.”
Butker covered a wide range of political and religious subjects in his address, including a lyric from Taylor Swift’s song “Bejeweled,” which features Travis Kelce’s girlfriend.
“Tragically, so many priests revolve much of their happiness from the adulation they receive from their parishioners. And in searching for this, they let their guard down and become overly familiar,” he “said. “This undue familiarity will prove to be problematic every time. Because “familiarity fosters contempt,” as my teammate’s girlfriend puts it.”
While many female graduates may “go on to lead successful careers in the world,” the 28-year-old also mentioned the role he believes women should play, stating that he believes more of them are “most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.” The sportsman claimed that Isabelle Butker, his spouse, “would be the first to say her life truly started when she started living her vocation as a wife and as a mother.”
Butker, who is married to Isabelle and has two children together, also attacked the LGBTQ+ community, calling Pride Month “the deadly sin sort of pride” and accusing them of promoting “dangerous gender ideologies.”
The COVID-19 epidemic “may have played a significant role throughout your formative years, but it is not unique,” he continued.
“Bad policies and poor leadership have negatively impacted major life issues,” he said. “Things like abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, as well as a growing support for degenerate cultural values in media all stem from the pervasiveness of disorder.”
Representatives for Butker, Swift, and the Chiefs were contacted by E! News for comments, but they have not responded.
