Harrison Butker is standing his ground on his controversial takes.
The Chiefs kicker put himself in the midst of controversy at the 2024 Benedictine College graduation when he made comments about women's roles in society, President Joe Biden, the LGBTQ+ community and Pride month. In the days following his commencement speech, he has received both backlash and support from differing groups.
In the NFL, Butker is a three-time Super Bowl champion with Kansas City. He has been the kicker for Patrick Mahomes during his entire time with the organization, establishing himself as one of the best at the position. While a kicker is always subject to receiving a combination of both hate and praise from fans, Butker has never seen this kind of reaction, both positive and negative, from anything he has done on the field.
Butker kept quiet in the week following his speech in front of the Benedictine graduates on May 11. However, on May 24, he spoke out for the first time since making headlines, this time coming at a gala for Regina Caeli Academy.
Here is what Butker had to say after his initial speech.
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Harrison Butker double downs on controversial comments
On Friday, May 24, Butker was a speaker at the "Courage Under Fire Gala", an event in Nashville put on by the Regina Caeli Academy. The Chiefs kicker is a board member of the school, and got the chance to talk to the crowd at the ceremony, where he doubled down on his previous comments at the college graduation.
"The theme for tonight’s gala - 'Courage Under Fire' - was decided many months ago, but it now seems providential that this would be the theme after what we have all witnessed these past two weeks," Butker said. "If it wasn’t clear that the timeless Catholic values are hated by many, it is now. Over the past few days my beliefs, or what people think I believe, have been the focus of countless discussions around the globe.
"At the outset, many people expressed a shocking level of hate. But as the days went on, even those who disagreed with my viewpoints shared their support for my freedom of religion."
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BREAKING: In first public remarks since his commencement speech sparked a liberal meltdown, Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker makes very clear he’s not backing down from his faith. @buttkicker7 pic.twitter.com/q3Vh0KpvTg
— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) May 25, 2024
In his speech Friday, Butker said that he understands how polarizing of a figure he has become due to his belief in the Catholic religion. He said that he is used to receiving both positive and negative feedback with his football role on the Chiefs, but that does not compare to the reaction he received following the Benedictine College commencement speech.
"But as to be expected, the more I’ve talked about what I value most, which is my Catholic faith, the more polarizing I have become," Butker said. "It’s a decision I’ve consciously made, and one I do not regret at all. If we have truth in charity, we should trust in the Lord’s providence and let the Holy Ghost do the rest of the work."
Butker acknowledged the fact that there are some who will never agree with his stances on Catholic ideologies, but that he is not worried about pleasing those people. Instead, he wants to remain focused on his religion and those that share the same belief system.
"I lean on those closest to me for guidance, but I can never forget that it is not people, but Jesus Christ who I’m trying to please," Butker said. "I’m humbled by the support I’ve received from all walks of life, but I can’t help but tremble at the thought of the courage many saints have shown in their lives."
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Harrison Butker commencement speech
At Benedictine College's commencement ceremony on May 11, Butker spoke out against Pride month and against Biden's leadership in the United States. He referred to LGBTQ+ Pride month in negative light, calling it "the deadly sins sort of pride that has an entire month dedicated to it" while adding that he preferred "God-centered pride."
He then focused on the women in the crowd, giving them a blunt statement on his thoughts of their roles in society.
"I think it is you, the women, who have has the most diabolic lies told to you," Butker said. "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 used his wife, Isabelle, as an example of what he believed a woman's job should be in the world. He explained that he is "able to be the man that I am" because his wife has taken on a role as a homemaker. Butker also encouraged the male graduates to "be unapologetic in [their] masculinity."
The Chiefs kicker also spoke out against "the tyranny of diversity, equity and inclusion," arguing, "We fear speaking truth because now, unfortunately, truth is in the minority."
You can find the full speech, which lasted more than 20 minutes, on YouTube.
What is Regina Caeli Academy?
Regina Caeli Academy is an "accredited K-12 classical homeschool hybrid academy for Catholic families," according to the school's website.
The academy states the students attend classes at the local campus centers on Mondays and Thursdays, followed by curriculum taught at home for the rest of the week.
The academy's mission statement says that the school "encourages our students to strive for excellence in academics as well as in virtuous living, self-discipline, and accountability through a classical education taught in light of the Catholic tradition." It also states that the academy is "open to all students regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, and ethnic origin."
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The academy is not set in one location, but multiple across the United States. Regina Caeli has campuses in Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee and Texas.
