There weren't many firsts for the Chiefs when they won Super Bowl 57 over the Eagles, the second championship in four years for Kansas City's core, but they did get to do one thing they didn't the first time around: take a trip to the White House.
The Chiefs are headed back to Washington D.C. on Friday to visit U.S. President Joe Biden again, less than four months after their overtime victory over the 49ers in Super Bowl 58.
Kansas City didn't get to visit the White House in 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic changed even the best-laid plans a month after Patrick Mahomes won his first ring. That made last year's presidential visit even more special than most other championship traditions. Now, the Chiefs are becoming regular visitors at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Not all eyes will be on Mahomes, Travis Kelce, or even Andy Reid during this year's White House stop. The center of attention might be kicker Harrison Butker, who sparked outrage with a controversial commencement speech he gave at Benedictine College earlier in May.
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Critics blasted Butker's comments about the role of women in society and his remarks on LGBTQ+ rights, but not lost in the speech were harsh words for Biden. What does that mean for the Chiefs' visit to the White House?
Here's a closer look at what Butker said about Biden and whether the Chiefs kicker will be in attendance on Friday.
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Will Harrison Butker be at the White House?
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed to reporters that the entire Chiefs team is invited to visit Biden on Friday. There is no confirmation that Butker plans to attend, but the Chiefs kicker did attend last year's celebration.
The Chiefs' 2023 visit didn't come without a fashion statement from Butker, as he wore a tie with a Latin phrase that translates to, “Protect the most vulnerable," a nod to Butker's Pro-Life beliefs. There was no known interaction between Butker and Biden.
In some cases, athletes have avoided the ceremonial White House visit for political reasons. Plenty of players chose not to attend during Donald Trump's presidency, from then-Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby to then-Red Sox star Mookie Betts. Trump even canceled the Eagles' White House visit in 2018 after most of the team decided against going.
Former Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas received backlash for skipping Boston's White House visit with Barack Obama in early 2012, before the event became as politicized as it has in recent years. Former Ravens center Matt Birk also made headlines by skipping Baltimore's visit in 2013.
Tom Brady sat out the Patriots' White House visits in 2015 and 2017, but he insisted neither decision was political; one took place during the Obama presidency, while the latter came during the Trump administration.
Considering Butker attended the ceremony in 2023, there isn't reason to believe he's staying behind despite the controversy surrounding him. If he does show up, it will be worth watching whether he sends a message anyway after his intentional choice of tie last year.
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Harrison Butker comments on Joe Biden
Butker ripped into Biden during his speech at Benedictine College despite not naming him directly.
"Our own nation is led by a man who publicly and proudly proclaims his Catholic faith but at the same time is delusional enough to make the sign of the cross during a pro-abortion rally," Butker said. "He has been so vocal in his support for the murder of innocent babies that, I'm sure to many people, it appears that you can be both Catholic and pro-choice. He is not alone."
In keeping with the tone of the speech, Butker went after Biden on religious grounds and questioned the president's commitment to Catholic values. Butker also criticized the COVID-19 policies implemented by officials, though Biden didn't enter office until more than 10 months into the pandemic.
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Butker's remarks about Biden were, of course, far from the most controversial statements he made during the speech. His comments on the role of women in society and LGBTQ+ rights drew far more criticism. After all, players come from so many different backgrounds in the NFL that Butker is undoubtedly far from alone when it comes to disagreeing with or outright opposing the president.
Will Butker's opposition to Biden be enough to keep him away from the White House? That wasn't the case last year, and the administration appears intent on letting Butker visit again if he wishes.
