NFL commissioner Roger Goodell emphasizes 'diversity of opinions' in response to Harrison Butker's comments

Tyler Greenawalt

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell emphasizes 'diversity of opinions' in response to Harrison Butker's comments image

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell finally made a public comment about Harrison Butker's controversial speech

And while some may have hoped for a more definitive response to Butker's misogynistic comments, Goodell opted for a very middle-of-the-road approach. He emphasized a " diversity of opinions" among the league's players, coaches and executives.

"We have over 3,000 players," Goodell said, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. "We have executives around the league. They have diversity of opinions and thoughts just like America does. That’s something we treasure.”

Pelissero added that Goodell deferred to the league's first statement from Jonathan Beane, the NFL’s senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer. Beane told People magazine on May 16 that Butker made his speech "in a personal capacity" and that "his views are not those of the NFL as an organization. The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger.” 

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Meanwhile, Butker has seen a combination of supporters and opponents for his stance on women. In his speech, he claimed that women "are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world."

Tavia Hunt, the wife of Chiefs co-owner Clark Hunt, said in an Instagram post, "Affirming motherhood and praising your wife, as well as highlighting the sacrifice and dedication it takes to be a mother, is not bigoted." Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones also voiced his support of Butker.

Those that oppose Butker's comments include Pearl Jam lead singer Eddie Vedderthe nuns of the college Butker spoke at and journalist Maria Shriver.

"The sisters of Mount St. Scholastica do not believe that Harrison Butker's comments in his 2024 Benedictine College commencement address represent the Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts college that our founders envisioned and in which we have been so invested," the nuns wrote in a statement posted on Facebook.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel toed the line as well when asked by reporters how he feels about players voicing political-charged and potentially controversial opinions. 

"I think you do have to open the eyes of the players to their platform if they're new to the situation," McDaniel said. "I really emphasize that whatever you're going to say, you better believe it. You just try to educate people to understand the consequences of whatever they do. They have the freedom of choice, and if they want to go that direction, go right ahead."

Butker hasn't been heard from since his speech, and he's unlikely to be reprimanded or released by the Chiefs despite a Change.org petition for the team to do so.

Tyler Greenawalt

Tyler Greenawalt Photo

 

Tyler Greenawalt is a contributing writer for The Sporting News after stops at Yahoo Sports, USA Today Sports and Turner Sports. He’s worked in written, video, social media and augmented reality content since he graduated from Syracuse University in 2014. His favorite teams – the New York Jets, Orlando Magic and Tottenham Hotspur – always find new and exciting ways to disappoint him, and he consistently questions his fandom. You can follow his bad sports takes at @TyGreen14 on X.