Harrison Butker Addresses Backlash Over Graduation Speech Controversy

Butker

Harrison Butker Chris Unger/Getty Images

Harrison Butker finally spoke out about his graduation speech that sparked controversy.

During the Regina Caeli Academy Courage Under Fire Gala on Friday, May 24, Butker, 28, addressed the audience. He mentioned that the theme of the event, Courage Under Fire, was chosen months ago, but now seems fitting given recent events. He expressed that the Catholic values he stands for have been met with hate by some.

Butker acknowledged the attention his beliefs have received in global discussions over the past few days.

The Kansas City Chiefs kicker, who serves on the board of directors at Regina Caeli Academy, shared that initially, there was a lot of hate directed towards him. However, as time passed, even those who disagreed with him expressed support for his right to practice his religion. Throughout his seven years in the NFL, he has received both positive and negative comments, with most of them focusing on his performance during games.

Butker observed that, as anticipated, the discussion eventually turned towards his personal life outside of the NFL.

He shared, "The more I talk about what I value most, my Catholic faith, the more polarizing I become. It's a conscious decision that I have no regrets about. With truth and charity, we should trust in the Lord's providence and let the Holy Ghost work. Our love for Jesus should always outweigh our desire for worldly approval. Our motivation should be to glorify God, not ourselves, despite any opposition or support. While I seek guidance from loved ones, my ultimate aim is to please Jesus Christ, not people."

The athlete reflected on his courage, acknowledging, "Compared to the saints in the Bible, my courage is small. I'm grateful for the support from people of all backgrounds, but I am in awe of the bravery shown by many saints in their lives. Would I be as bold if faced with the same trials as Daniel, who was thrown to the lions? My courage may lead to some suffering and some people disliking me, but perhaps that is God's will. By reminding myself of the hardships endured by the saints, especially the martyrs, any difficulties I face seem minor. If our goal is Heaven, we should embrace our crosses, big or small, and live joyfully as bold witnesses for Christ."

He wants to inspire other Catholics to speak up and be brave. He believes that courage begins with small actions and that facing criticism and misunderstanding is nothing compared to being in a difficult situation.

His recent comments were made after giving a speech at Benedictine College's graduation in May. During the speech, he criticized LGBTQIA+ rights, IVF as a family planning option, and women who choose to have careers instead of being homemakers.

The football player wanted to talk directly to the women in the audience. He felt that women have been fed many lies. He asked how many of them were thinking about career advancements as they prepared to graduate.

He noted that while some may have successful careers, he believed that most of them were looking forward to marriage and starting a family.

In his speech, Butker made a reference to a popular singer without mentioning her name. The singer, who is 34 years old, is currently in a relationship with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. Kelce may not share Butker's beliefs, but he still values their friendship as teammates.

Butker shared a quote from a song by Swift released in 2022, saying, "As my teammate's girlfriend says, 'Familiarity breeds contempt.'" This quote is from the song "Bejeweled."

Swift and Kelce have been dating since the summer of 2023. Their relationship became public in September when she attended her first NFL game. Since then, Swift has been to 12 more Chiefs games, including February’s Super Bowl LVIII, and has formed friendships with many players and their families along the way.

Butker first met Swift after the team's New Year's Day game, which the pop star attended with her family.

"I had the chance to meet Taylor Swift after our New Year's game," Butker shared with EWTN News In Depth in March. "It was a special moment for me because we had just won the AFC West, and I don't usually go out much. I decided to attend a party, keeping it classy in a suit and tie. That's when Travis and Taylor showed up, and I got to meet her."

He went on to say, "Taylor may not have been a football fan growing up, so everything about the sport fascinates her. As a kicker, she finds it incredible how I can kick the ball so far between the goalposts."

Butker described Swift as "humble" and "gracious" during that time. He then expressed his hopes for her relationship with Kelce, who is also 34 years old.

"I wish for them to eventually get married and start a family," Butker shared. He and his wife Isabelle have two children together.

Editor's P/S:

Harrison Butker's speech has sparked controversy and debate, highlighting the ongoing tension between personal beliefs and societal norms. While some may appreciate his open expression of his Catholic faith, others have criticized his views as outdated and discriminatory. The incident has brought to light the challenges faced by individuals who hold religious beliefs that conflict with prevailing cultural values.

Butker's comments raise important questions about the role of personal values in public discourse and the limits of religious freedom. It is essential to foster a society where different perspectives can be expressed respectfully, while also ensuring that minority voices are protected from discrimination. The ongoing discussion surrounding Butker's speech serves as a reminder of the need for dialogue, understanding, and empathy in addressing complex issues related to faith, diversity, and inclusion.