Harrison Butker's Faith Journey: Praying for Unity with His Wife

Harrison Butker Prayed for His Wife Would Convert to Catholicism 2

Harrison Butker Jason Hanna/Getty Images

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker faced criticism for his remarks about women in the workforce during a recent graduation speech. In response, his wife Isabelle shared on a podcast in 2022 that Butker had prayed for her to convert to Catholicism.

During an interview on the “Unraveled Podcast” in March 2022, Isabelle, who has been with Butker since high school, mentioned how he deepened his Catholic faith while in college at Georgia Tech from 2013 to 2016. In contrast, Isabelle, who attended college in Memphis, grew up in a "general Protestant" household but was not very religious at the time.

In college, he had a reversion experience. One of his now best friends convinced him to go to confession after he admitted that he hadn't gone in 5 or 6 years. After that, there was no looking back for him.

Isabelle shared that Butker, who is now 28, started attending church more regularly and was very enthusiastic about it. Meanwhile, she was focused on playing college basketball and being part of a sorority.

Isabelle expressed, "I was like, 'Woah, settle down.' I was very much my own person, no one can tell me what to do, independent."

The mother-of-two shared that during her senior year in college, Harrison had doubts about their future relationship due to their differing attitudes towards faith. She mentioned that the turning point was when Harrison started praying for her on his own.

Harrison Butker Prayed for His Wife Would Convert to Catholicism

Courtesy of Harrison Butker/X

Isabelle shared that amidst Butker's worries about their future, they had stopped communicating for a period of time. However, she decided to reach out to him after facing challenges such as tearing her ACL while playing basketball and losing her grandmother, which led her to hit "rock bottom".

"We reconnected. He stopped trying to push me into anything. Instead, he simply prayed for me," she explained.

Isabelle shared that she started going to Catholic services with Butker. After graduating from college, she had a spiritual awakening during a mass they attended on a family trip. She recalled sitting there, feeling unsure about which path to take - Protestant or Catholic. She silently prayed for guidance, asking God to show her the way. Suddenly, she felt a warm embrace, as if someone was hugging her. In that moment, she realized that the Catholic church was where she was meant to be, where she found truth and belonging.

Isabelle felt embarrassed to share her experience with Butker for a whole month. However, when she finally told him about her desire to convert to Catholicism, he was deeply moved. He broke down and expressed, "My goodness."

"He told me that he had been praying for me every day, even praying the rosary, in the hopes that I would want to join the church," Isabelle recounted. "To me, that was the most romantic gesture."

During his graduation speech at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas on May 11, Butker sparked controversy by discussing traditional gender roles with the female graduates.

Addressing the audience, Butker asked the women how many of them were focused on career advancements and titles, implying that most were likely more excited about marriage and starting a family.

Butker expressed his gratitude to Isabelle, acknowledging that his success is due to her decision to convert to the faith and become his wife. He emphasized the importance of her role as a homemaker, which has greatly contributed to his achievements.

He also mentioned that Isabelle considers her life truly began when she embraced her roles as a wife and a mother, highlighting the significance of these roles in her life.

Butker witnessed the positive impact of focusing on God's will in one's life, noting how much happier it can make someone.

An NFL player shared the story of Isabelle, who may not have achieved her career dream, but has no regrets and laughs off any doubts about her decision.

Butker's comments have sparked backlash on social media and received criticism from several celebrities, including Maria Shriver and Brooke Schwartz, who is the wife of Butker's former Chiefs teammate Mitch Schwartz.

Schwartz expressed her disapproval in an Instagram Story on Wednesday, May 15, questioning the message being sent to young women graduating from college. She voiced her disbelief at the idea that the most important thing for them to aspire to is becoming a homemaker, likening it to something out of "The Handmaid's Tale."

Meanwhile, a Change.org petition calling for the Chiefs to drop Butker in the wake of his comments has attracted more than 170,000 signatures.

Editor's P/S:

Harrison Butker's controversial remarks about women in the workforce have sparked a heated debate and highlighted the ongoing tensions between traditional and modern gender roles. While Butker's comments may reflect his personal beliefs, they have been met with widespread criticism and backlash from those who view them as outdated and sexist. The ensuing controversy has raised important questions about the place of women in society and the expectations placed upon them.

Butker's wife, Isabelle, has shared her own journey of faith and conversion to Catholicism, which played a significant role in their relationship. Her experience emphasizes the power of prayer and personal transformation, as well as the importance of supporting one's partner's spiritual growth. Despite the differing perspectives on gender roles, the couple's story highlights the value of understanding, compromise, and mutual respect in a relationship.