The NFL has distanced itself from Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker following his controversial remarks during a commencement speech at Benedictine College on May 11. In his 20-minute address, Butker, 28, made several contentious statements, particularly targeting women and the LGBTQIA+ community.
Butker suggested that women have been misled by societal expectations, emphasizing that his wife’s life began when she embraced her roles as a wife and mother. He criticized LGBTQIA+ pride, calling it a “deadly sin” and accused world leaders of imposing harmful ideologies on American youth. Butker also condemned abortion, IVF, surrogacy, and euthanasia, attributing these issues to a broader “pervasiveness of disorder” in society.
The speech sparked significant backlash on social media, leading to a Change.org petition demanding Butker’s removal from the Chiefs, which garnered over 200,000 signatures. Taylor Swift fans also criticized Butker for misusing lyrics from her song “Bejeweled” to support his views.
In response, the NFL issued a statement clarifying that Butker’s opinions are personal and do not reflect the league’s values. Jonathan Beane, the NFL’s senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer, emphasized the league’s commitment to inclusion, stating that it strengthens the NFL.
Mount St. Scholastica, a founding institution of Benedictine College, also condemned Butker’s speech. The sisters released a statement expressing that his comments do not align with the values of the Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts college they support, highlighting that his words promoted division rather than unity.
GLAAD, an LGBTQIA+ advocacy organization, released a fact-check sheet debunking Butker’s claims and criticized his speech as inaccurate and out of touch. GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis pointed out that commencement speeches should celebrate and inspire, and Butker’s address failed to do so, instead spreading misinformation about Pride, LGBTQ people, and women.
As of now, the Kansas City Chiefs have not made an official comment on the incident.
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