Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker has been in the news for his controversial comments in a commencement speech at Benedictine College back in May.
Butker was under fire for speaking out against LGBTQ+ Pride Month and making comments that were considered sexist, among other things. His speech went viral on social media with masses lashing out at his views.
His comments didn't stop the Chiefs from giving him a four-year, $25.6 million contract with $17.75 million guaranteed to make him the highest-paid kicker in the NFL.
After months of silence on his commencement speech, Butker addressed the matter with the media at Chiefs training camp.
MORE: Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker becomes highest-paid kicker in NFL
Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker addresses controversial commencement speech for first time
Days after becoming the highest-paid kicker in the NFL, Butker addressed the media and was asked to clarify his comments made in the Benedictine College commencement speech.
"I appreciated all the feedback," Butker began. "When it comes to football, I don't really look at the comments, good or bad, towards me. With it being the offseason and stating a lot of these things, I was really curious as to what people would be saying back to me. I respected all the viewpoints.
"In terms of what I said, I prayed about it and I thought about it and I was very intentional with what I said. I stand behind what I said.
"I really believe if people knew me as a person and understood I was coming from a place of love and not a place of trying to attack or put people down, that I only want the best for people and that's what I was trying to say. I think the people that were in that gymnasium all understood what I was trying to say."
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Butker went on to praise his wife, using her as a positive example of what he was trying to reciprocate during his commencement speech.
"My whole career, I've talked about how I'm a husband and I'm a father before it comes to me as a kicker. I've always preached that," Butker said.
"When I used that platform to talk about women, I say that they should embrace and love being wives and mothers over their career. I think then it gets construed that I'm trying to put women down, which I'm not at all.
"I love women and I love my wife. It comes from a place of love. My wife had never heard me speak publicly and she was there for that moment and she was in the background in one of the offices up there. I was getting emotional looking at her crying and understanding that she has sacrificed so much for me.
"She has completely changed her life around. She has made sure she's focused on being the ultimate wife and the ultimate mother, and I love her so much for that. I see how happy and excited she is day to day to wake up and embrace that life. She pushes me to be a better husband and a better father and focus on my three children and focus on her over maybe being the best kicker I can be on the field."
You can watch Butker's response from his media availability below.
#Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker spoke to local media at training camp today for the first time since his viral May commencement speech at Benedictine.
— Marleah Campbell (@MarleahKCTV5) August 7, 2024
His comments in part, specifically to the feedback he's gotten: pic.twitter.com/9wjQxmShTv
Revisiting Harrison Butker's controversial commencement speech
At Benedictine College's commencement ceremony, Butker spoke out against Pride month and against U.S. President Joe Biden's leadership on several issues.
Butker referred to LGBTQ+ Pride month, mentioning "the deadly sins sort of pride that has an entire month dedicated to it" while adding that he preferred "God-centered pride."
And when addressing the women graduating from the college, Butker had pointed words about their options as they embark on the world.
"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 praised his wife, Isabelle, explaining that he is "able to be the man that I am" because his wife has taken on a role as a homemaker. He also encouraged men graduating from the college 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."
Butker, who has spoken out against abortion in the past, also railed against U.S. policies — including those of Biden, whom he called "delusional" for supporting abortion rights as a Catholic.
The full speech, which lasted more than 20 minutes, has been viewed more than two million times.
